Brigade member Chris Hooson, in addition to working as a Wellington Free Ambulance Paramedic, is a member of the New Zealand Fire Service’s elite Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1, one of the three National USAR teams. Chris was recently awarded the Canterbury Earthquake Dress Distinction Citation with SERVIMUS Star, awarded only to those who arrived in Christchuch in the first 24 hours after the earthquake on the 22nd February 2011. Also at the ceremony at Te Papa, National Commander Paul Baxter and Chair of the Fire Service Commission Wyatt Creech acknowledged the support from family of deployed staff with a gift of a specially produced pin and DVD.
Chris responds as our specialist appliance medic and has an extensive background of rural fire with the Tora Rural Fire Force and also worked for the Fire Service Central Communication Centre. Currently, Chris is preparing for the basic fire fighters course held later this year in Rotorua along with our other new Brigade members.
Fire Calls this month came in batches, with four in one 24 hour period. Of the six fire calls in February, four were potentially serious vegetation fires which were brought under control by a quick call to 111 and a rapid response by the fire brigade. There was one call to assist the Martinborough Ambulance. A total fire ban is in affect for South Wairarapa. Please call the Council for an update on fire conditions and secure a permit before lighting any outdoor fire.
