RAINBOW FLAT RISES AGAIN
In November 2019 the Hillville fire ravaged 31,200 hectares of the Mid Coast and destroyed the modest single-storey Rainbow Flat Brigade station that had stood since 1982. Fourteen months later, a bright, new two-bay station has risen in its place. Stuart Robb, District Officer Learning and Development for the Mid Coast District, was also the Public Liaison Officer during the Hillville fire. He says the new station is welcomed by the 33 Rainbow Flat Brigade members and the communities they serve. “On the night of 8 November 2019 when the fire jumped the Pacific Highway and took out the station, crews were out working on other fires in the area and were unaware the station was threatened,” says Stuart. “Sadly, a lot of important memorabilia such as trophies, pendants, photos and handwritten minutes were lost and damaged in the fire, but at least the brigade now has a new place to call home.” The new two-bay station (replacing the previous one-bay station) comes with a kitchen, change 32 BUSH FIRE bulletin || FEATURES
room and facilities, a meeting/training room and a larger capacity water supply. It is a welcome replacement of the demountable which was stationed on the site after the fires. Robert Derbyshire, Captain of the Rainbow Flat Brigade, said the build took a little longer than usual thanks to the pandemic. Local tradies were stretched across the area working on home renovations and materials took longer to arrive from overseas. “During the rebuild, the brigade’s Cat 7 tanker was stationed on a member’s property up the road, so it is great it now has a permanent home again,” says Robert. With plenty of room, showers and space to meet and train, he said the team were delighted with their new digs.
