IT'S NOT quite out with the old and in with the new at the recently opened South Tamworth fire station.
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High-profile guests visited Tamworth on Wednesday for the official opening ceremony of the NSW Fire and Rescue 448 station on The Ringers Road.
The grand opening had a special focus on the long history of firefighting in the city and the importance of remembering and celebrating it, even while moving forward and enjoying the perks of a brand new facility.
Emergency Services Minister David Elliot attended the event and said he was impressed with the state-of-the-art station and admired the persistence of the Tamworth firefighting community to get the job done.
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Mr Elliot unveiled a plaque to signify the official opening of the South Tamworth 448 station and the attached zone command office.
A line-up of vintage fire trucks and a history of the old West Tamworth station - which was established more than half a century ago - also featured at the event.
NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner Paul Baxter spoke at the opening ceremony about the role of firies in the Tamworth community.
"The key to a successful fire and rescue service ... is the people," Commissioner Baxter said.
It was a sentiment echoed by the minister and other guests who spoke.
"But bricks and mortar are important as well ... it's a place, a home firefighters come to to train, to develop capabilities to allow them to protect the community everyday," Mr Baxter said.
"This is one of our biggest stations and will allow ... firefighters stationed at South Tamworth to provide improved protection and response for the local community that will continue well into the future," he said.
The West Tamworth 508 brigade was retired last month and firefighters moved from Kent Street to the new facility at the end of July.
Zone Commander Superintendent Tom Cooper said he thinks the new fire station one of the best across the entire state.
The building is a work home for the zone command and for a crew of more than 30 local firefighters.
The $5.4 million project has been years in the making and was funded by the state government.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
