FIRIES LEND A HAND

Some of the members of the Gerringong Rural Fire Service crews that have recently helped fight fires near Coonabarabran and in Victoria. Greg Ball, Captain Shane Wicks, Alan James, Andrew Sweeney and Keith Gray.

GERRINGONG Rural Fire Service has just completed a busy few weeks sending crews out to large bushfires threatening property in both Victoria and near Coonabarabran.

Returning last Friday, five members attended the large blaze at Coonabarabran where they formed composite crews with other fire fighters from across the country in a bid to slow the fire that burnt over 13,000 hectares.

The boys had a pretty hard working week out west, Gerringong RFS Captain Shane Wicks said.

They participated in back burning, fire fighting and mopping up as well as building containment lines near a lot of the farms out there.

As well we also have another member Chris Robinson who is fighting the nasty fires down in Victoria.

Chris travelled down with a vehicle from Albion Park and is due back on Wednesday.

Despite sending a number of volunteers across the country, the Gerringong RFS is gearing itself up for a big couple of weeks locally as they help Santa hand out lolly bags this coming Saturday.

They will also begin to place blue reflective hydrant markers throughout Gerringong early in the New Year.

The markers are there to assist fire fighters to readily locate hydrants during times of fire and emergencies, Mr Wicks said.

This can reduce potential delays in getting water to a fire. As well as starting to place the markers around town we will also be helping Santa out this Saturday.

We always enjoy the Santa run and it is a great way to thank the local residents for their fantastic support throughout the year especially during the recent door knock appeal which managed to raise money which will certainly be able to help us out.