***PHOTOGRAPHS available HERE
Thursday, 9 January 2025
More than 100 volunteers from the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) have served more than 1,300 meals to emergency crews across New South Wales, helping to keep firefighters fed and energised as they battled two recent blazes.
RRT were called to the Attunga State Forest bushfire in the New England region last week, with teams from Tamworth dedicating more than 250 volunteer hours to serve up a total of 886 meals.
RRT volunteers were also called in to support the NSW Rural Fire Service after a grass fire broke out at Hill End, near Bathurst, in extremely hot weather conditions late last month. Bathurst volunteers cooked up 450 meals over three days.
“RRT is always ready to step up to support the NSW Rural Fire Service, because we know how crucial they are to protecting our community at this time of year,” said RRT Local Team Leader, Peter Stead.
“It might be a holiday period, but we know that is when our first responders often have to work their hardest,” he said.
“Our volunteers worked around the clock to cook and serve hot, fresh meals and refreshments to emergency workers, to boost their spirits and keep up energy levels while they are doing a mentally and physically demanding job.”
Emergency services workers enjoyed RRT’s signature burgers, chicken burgers, and beef nachos, and supplied snack packs, coffee and other refreshments.
Established in 2013 to assist emergency services in times of disaster and crisis by providing meals and other support, RRT has expanded to more than 14,500 volunteers and provides support to the community through charitable donations and events. For more information, please go to www.rrtglobal.org/.
Contact details:
Katie Kimberley 0417 467 215
