Bombala firefighter Malcolm Lavender likes to show support for public education and said the Bombala Fire and Rescue wanted to ‘give back’ to small public schools.
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As a result six small schools from across the Monaro converged on Nimmitabel last week for a combined student activity day.
The theme of the event was 'Emergency Services' with students gaining an insight into the roles and responsibilities of the NSW SES, the NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW.
“Along with my NSW Fire and Rescue responsibilities I am also a staff member of Bombala Public School,” he said.
“As part of the school I was encouraged to show interest in other small public schools in the Monaro.
“In 2015 I had the opportunity to volunteer my services to travel around the Monaro and visit several small public schools with our fire education program.
“Due to the success of our visits last year a combined small schools activity was organised for this year,” firefighter Lavender said.
The combined student activity days are a fantastic opportunity for students from our smallest schools to socialise and mix with other students.
Altogether, 120 students from Adaminaby, Bredbo, Dalgety, Jerangle, Nimmitabel and Numeralla Public Schools gained potentially life-saving and important information from local emergency personnel.
Brad Austin, relieving principal of Nimmitabel Public School said the feedback from each of the schools was overwhelmingly positive.
“Many of the parents I spoke to on Friday mentioned how much information the students had retained and were rattling off at home on Thursday night.
“I think that is a key measure of success,” Mr Austin said.
Firefighter Lavender said that he was accompanied by fellow 230 station firefighter Gordon Anderson.
This year I was fortunate to be accompanied by fellow 230 Station firefighter Gordon Anderson.
“Being his first year, it was great to have him dressed in his full turnout gear complete with breathing apparatus and complete all the simulated rescues during the day,” firefighter Lavender said.