Tamara was selected to head up the Berrigan Rural Fire Service brigade at its AGM last week.
She has been a member of the Berrigan brigade since 2009.
“I am very proud of Berrigan brigade’s history, and I look forward to working with the membership and our area to provide a reliable fire and emergency response to the wider community,” she said after being inducted.
NSW Rural Fire Service acting district manager Reynir Potter said Capt Graham is one of a growing number of female firefighters across the district.
“We are seeing an increasing number of female field officers being appointed within the Southern Border District in recent months,” he said.
“I hope that this trend continues within our brigades, as it may encourage more female members of our community to not only join the New South Wales RFS but also aspire to leadership roles within their chosen brigades.”
The Berrigan brigade’s origins date back to 1896, when an informal bushfire brigade was formed due to many fires that had burnt out of control in the area.
On November 20, in 1900 the Berrigan Bushfire Brigade was formally established and recorded with Mr WA Ritchie, an experienced firefighter, being put in command.
At the Royal Hotel, a bell was installed to call firefighters to fight the latest threat.
It was the start of what we now know as the NSW Rural Fire Service, which is now the world’s largest volunteer fire fighting organisation.
“This is something that the Berrigan Community can be incredibly proud of,” Mr Potter said.
Captain Graham and her brigade of about 40 firefighters are ready to respond in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Although, all RFS brigades and the communities they serve could always benefit from more volunteer members in firefighting and other support roles.
Anyone able to assist is asked to call the Albury Fire Control Centre during business hours on (02) 6051 1511, or go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/join-the-nsw-rfs.
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