A base camp for firefighters battling blazes in the south west of the state has been established in Glenora with the assistance of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
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Fenton Forest base camp was established within 48 hours of the TFS’s request for additional resources from interstate.
TFS incident controller at Gell River Rob Sherrin praised the partnership arrangement the TFS has with the NSW Rural Fire Service.
“It was only a simple phone call to them a few days ago requiring assistance, and within two and a half days of the phone call we’ve had this NSW base camp set up,” Mr Sherrin said.
“At the moment we’ve got approximately 50 people camping overnight here.”
NSW RFS air base manager Alex Howen said NSW sent down five aviation specialists at short notice last week.
“We are here to provide a service to our firefighter cousins and it is a privilege to be here,” Mr Howen said.
Fenton Forest base camp was created as a home away from home for firefighters working in the south west.
NSW RFS base camp manager Rory Firkins said the camp’s goal is to support the hard work firefighters put in every day.
“We have got a catering facility fully set up to cater to up to 100 people,” Mr Firkins said.
“Without this they would have just packed meals that are rations, like army style.”
“Having a hot cooked meal in the morning and afternoon makes a big difference.”
A typical stay at the camp lasts between three to five days, with pilots staying one to two days depending on operational requirements.
“Each tent is fully sealed. We have got insulation and air conditioning in every tent and up to 12 stretchers maximum in one of the larger tents,” Mr Firkins said.
“We have two different tent style accommodations so we can separate between males and females.”
Each tent has power access and the campsite provides toilets and showers in addition to recreational options including televisions, games and board games.
"They liken it to three or four star accommodation by the time we have got everything up and running,” Mr Firkins said.
The camp currently has the capacity to house 85 firefighters but can be expanded to cater for hundreds if required.
Mr Sherrin expressed the TFS’s gratitude to the Shoobridge family who agreed to let the fire service use the land for the base camp.
“When we had to move out of Strathgordon because of accommodation issues we were very fortunate that the Shoobridge family offered their property here for us to set up our base camp,” Mr Sherrin said.
“Initially it was for aerial support but then it grew to the base camp.”
Landowner and volunteer brigade chief at Bushy Park Robert Shoobridge said “if it helps the community” he welcomes the fire service to use the land for as long as required.