Fire truck adorned in striking Indigenous artwork during Reconciliation Week – Redfern - VIDEO - Redfern
Published: 31 May 2024 07:59am
A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) truck has been decorated with distinctive Indigenous artwork to commemorate Reconciliation Week.
The design is a joint collaboration by first nations FRNSW firefighters, Muliyan Waters, Shawn Orcher, and Brodee Mate, who worked together at Redfern Fire Station.
The truck will be publicly unveiled from midday tomorrow, the first day of winter, at the Sydney Swans Fan Day, at The Plaza, between the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion at Moore Park.
Firefighters will use the fire truck’s unique design to engage the community and provide winter fire messages, particularly relating to smoke alarm checks and kitchen safety.
The artwork has been designed to pay tribute to the lands on which our firefighters serve.
“Gadigal is the country on which Redfern Fire Station responds and the community with which the crew engages, and each component of this piece reflects an aspect of our service,” Senior Firefighter Orcher said.
“The middle circle represents the fire station as a meeting place and the outer circles represent the four different shifts that comprise the station’s personnel.” he explained.
“The colours, red and orange, represent fire and FRNSW’s burning desire to represent our communities.”
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, has joined Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib, inspecting the new-look fire engine as it re-entered active duty.
“The terrific, colourful artwork can’t help but start positive conversations as the crews go about their work,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
“We are proud of the messages behind the artwork which represent the communities in which we serve,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
Minister Dib was impressed with the intricacy of the artwork.
“It’s not just the eye-catching design, but the meaning behind it,” Minister Dib said, “The Emu footprints represent the journey of female firefighters, the Kangaroo prints, the male firefighters’ pathway.
“The variation of colours used for the crew represents Redfern being an eclectic melting pot of culture of all different races, Indigenous and non-Indigenous.”
Media note – FRNSW footage of the Commissioner and Minister inspecting the truck is available here: https://vimeo.com/951762522/c63bc557eb [external link]
Updated: 31 May 2024 08:03am
Related safety topics
The leading cause of home fires in NSW is leaving cooking unattended.
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
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