Gunnedah’s 2024 Clash of the Sirens

Gunnedah’s emergency services turned out for a combined exercise at Woolshed Reserve on Sunday.

The annual activity formed part of Gunnedah’s month-long Weeks of Speed program of events.

Find gallery here: Weeks of Speed 2024: Street parade and Clash of the Sirens Gallery – Gunnedah Times

It involved personnel from three Rural Fire Service depots – Gunnedah, Curlewis and Gunnible – as well as Fire and Rescue Gunnedah and the State Emergency Service.

Teams featured members from each service who competed in a series of scenarios for top honours.

Gunnible RFS captain Ken Moore said the event was as much a training exercise as it was a friendly, inter-service competition.

“It shows how well all these organisations work together in Gunnedah,” Mr Moore said.

“It brings out great camaraderie between everyone.

“We’re all trained for different scenarios but when we’re out together, we all need to pitch in.

“Everyone is learning something.”

Activities included water standpipe and hose rolls, pump set up demonstration and a flood rescue activity.

Watching from the sideline were family and friends of those involved.

Mr Moore said family is a “big part” of what they do – taking care of the home front while loved ones respond to incidents at all hours and sometimes for days on end.

Despite the challenges involved, the long-time RFS volunteer remains committed to the cause.

“I’ve been in the RFS for almost 30 years and I love it,” he said.

“You’re helping the community and dealing with people at their worst, especially when you turn up to a bloke’s farm and it’s on the way to being burnt out – the look on their face when you get it out … the appreciation is invaluable.”