Tamara Graham, captain of the Berrigan Rural Fire Department.
Tamara Graham has become the first woman elected to the post of fire captain in the Berrigan Shire local government area.
Tamara was chosen to lead the Berrigan Rural Fire Department Brigade at its AGM last week.
She has been a member of the Berrigan Brigade since 2009.
“I am very proud of the history of the Berrigan Brigade, and look forward to working with members and our region to provide a reliable fire and emergency response to the entire community,” she said after her induction.
NSW Rural Fire Service Acting District Manager Reynir Potter said Captain Graham was among a growing number of female firefighters in the district.
“We are seeing an increasing number of female field officers being appointed in the Southern Border District in recent months,” he said.
“I hope this trend will continue within our brigades as it may encourage more female members of our community to not only join the NSW RFS but also to aspire to leadership roles within of the brigades they have chosen.”
The origins of the Berrigan Brigade date back to 1896 when an informal bushfire brigade was formed due to numerous fires that had burned out of control in the area.
On November 20, 1900, the Berrigan Fire Brigade was officially formed and registered under the command of MWA Ritchie, an experienced firefighter.
At the Royal Hotel, a bell has been installed to call the fire brigade to combat the latest threat.
This was the start of what we now know as the NSW Rural Fire Service, which is now the largest arson organization in the world.
“It’s something the Berrigan community can be incredibly proud of,” Mr Potter said.
Captain Graham and his brigade of approximately 40 firefighters are ready to respond to a fire or other emergency.
However, all RFS brigades and the communities they serve could still benefit from more members volunteering in firefighting and other support roles.
Anyone able to help is asked to call the Albury Fire Control Center during working hours on (02) 6051 1511, or go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/join-the-nsw-rfs.
