Four fire trucks in the New England region have been unveiled by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) with the addition of Indigenous artwork.
Trucks from Quirindi, Werris Creek, Coonabarabran and Gunnedah, are all sporting the design created by local Indigenous artist Tania Hartigan.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson joined FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter in Quirindi to unveil the trucks.
“The trucks look fantastic and I can’t wait to see them driving on our roads. I congratulate FRNSW on its partnership with local Indigenous artist Tania Hartigan to symbolically recognise the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our emergency services,” Mr Anderson said.
Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell welcomed the inclusion of Indigenous artwork on the trucks.
“I’m pleased four fire trucks from the New England region are among the first FRNSW vehicles in the State to proudly display Indigenous artwork, and I hope it goes a small way towards encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider a career in firefighting,” Mr Layzell said.
Commissioner Baxter said the artwork will help to encourage discussions in the local community and offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a stronger sense of belonging and identity.
“Through systematic and structural changes, FRNSW is committed to strengthening our partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Commissioner Baxter said.
“Recognising the traditional owners of the land on which we work is just one step we can take to better reflect the communities we serve.”
The rollout of Indigenous artwork aligns with FRNSW’s core belief that diversity drives service quality, innovation and future readiness, as set out in the agency’s blueprint for organisational change known as the ‘Plus Plan.’
FRNSW’s existing Indigenous Fire and Rescue Employment Strategy (IFARES) program actively targets Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and has resulted in the recruitment of 90 Aboriginal-Australian firefighters since its inception.
