rfsa elects new president
The NSW Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) has elected a new President, with volunteer fire fighter, Tim Arnott from Albury taking on the position.
Mr Arnott takes over from retiring chairman, Brian McKinlay, who has held the position for five years and will remain on the Association’s board.
Tim Arnott was a member of Yathong brigade, which later combined with the Bolton Rural Fire Brigade, for almost 30 years. This included a term of five years as the Brigade Captain. He has since joined the Thurgoona brigade in the Albury area. He has also served as the RFSA’s President, Vice President and Treasurer.
“I really want to express my appreciation to Brian McKinlay for making the RFSA a great organisation which represents the 70,000 plus volunteers and staff of the NSW Rural Fire Service,” Mr Arnott said.
“The participation and commitment of Brian in running the Association over the last five years has been amazing and we’ve worked together in a common direction to achieve some major outcomes for rural fire fighters.
“The job is not finished yet and my new executive team will work to make sure that all members of the Association are represented in the coming twelve months.
“There are some really large issues which have not been resolved such as the Emergency Services Levy, which the State government announced at our conference has been delayed by up to two years.”
The new executive of the RFSA are President, Tim Arnott, Vice President Volunteer Allan Holley, Vice President Staff David Hoadley, Secretary Ken Middleton and Treasurer Michael Brett.
“The new leadership team has a high level of experience in fire issues and we have the commitment to represent the best interests of rural fire fighters across the entire state,” Mr Arnott said.
“Having 30 plus years in a brigade provides me with the best possible grassroots skills to understand what all of the 70,000 plus members of the NSW Rural Fire Service encounter on a daily basis.
“All of my team have similar experience in fire operations and we will be continuing to represent volunteers and staff to all levels of government.”