McCullys Gap rural fire brigade volunteers disgusted at theft

RFS volunteer of 40 years and brigade president Steve Garland is bitterly disappointed at the callous act.

“We have two trucks that are equipment ready at all time but because of this our operational preparedness for incidents was compromised,” he said.

The shed was broken into at the back wall and two chainsaws, two axes, tool kits and a portable pump were taken.

“We’re all volunteers here and we respond to floods, fires, storms and motor vehicle accidents – the works – and to do that to a community organisation is pretty low,” Mr Garland said.

The McCullys Gap RFS volunteers constructed the shed in 1994 and members consider the theft quite brazen as there are 100 houses on the road with six or seven in close proximity to the RFS premises.

The theft occurred over the first weekend in June and follows a similar attack on the Glennies Creek rural fire brigade near Singleton at the beginning of May.

In that incident, three Stihl chainsaws, a red tool box, a pump, three handheld radios and a mobile phone booster unity were taken.

“To stop our trucks being operational is very sad,” Mr Garland said.

“We would like people to keep an eye out, particularly if they hear of anyone selling these types of items.”