Remarkably this year we highlight our 106th report. First and foremost my thanks and appreciation are extended to Henry Stenchman our Assistant Area Commander for his help as my acting facilitator during the year. As you know Henry was tremendously supportive both professionally and personally after my losing my wife Margaret last year. Thank you Henry I’m thrilled to be back in the driver’s seat. Thanks also to Kevin Harvey for his continued support providing the team with much needed resources during the year.
My thanks and appreciation go to the Featherston Brigade for standing in and backing the team up while our branch pursued the recruitment of additional fire-fighters. Although our member numbers have increased we are finding once again that we are short of fire-fighters available to attend daytime calls as members are working out of town.
A momentous thanks to Kiwa Mitchell our secretary for her tremendous commitment, hard work and enthusiasm throughout the Year. Kiwa has played a significant role in our Brigade and we are especially grateful for her acumen and dedication.
Welcome Bill Butzbach to the Martinborough Volunteer Brigade. Thank you for joining us as our new DCFO. We all hope you enjoy being a part of our team and appreciate your assistance and contributions with the running of the Brigade.
Thanks to Dan Meehan for all your help and support with the recruits and practices over the year. Your experience and knowledge clearly vast and is exhibited through the recruits significant and improved skills.
Also thanks to all the employers and wives, self employed members, partners and families of our fire-fighters for allowing our members to spend the time away from home to fulfill our Fire Service Business and Commitments.
My personal thanks to all my Fire-fighters who have worked hard and successfully upskilled to obtain their Senior Fire-fighters qualifications. Also new recruits for their commitment and efforts to successfully achieve the standards required to attend further training at the Rotorua Training Centre.
I am pleased to report that Pete Fisher is on the mend and has been recovering in leaps and bounds, evident as he was recently involved and participated in the Road Rescue Team Competitions with the Greytown Brigade in Camberra Australia. Well done Pete we all look forward to having you back on deck with us in the near future.
A huge thanks to all who have assisted with our fundraising proceedings throughout the year. A special thanks to Jeff and Jan Lankow for their generous donation; proceeds raised from the annual Bike Ride Race. This is a Fund raiser we don’t want to lose. Next Year we will be hosting a Gold Star event so the fund-raising is very necessary and appreciated.
We are extremely fortunate to have the support of our community at large and encourage that relationship to continue.
Martinborough Volunteer Fire Brigade attended a total 79 Calls for 2012-2013. Our Largest Fire would have to be at Kaikuri where the fire took hold and destroyed approximately 40 Hectares of mature trees. Seven Helicopters with monsoon buckets were kept busy over several days along with the Regional Rural Fire Crews who arduously grafted their way through the blaze. The Martinborough Support Crew attended and was approved to return back to home base after a 6 hour challenging duration.
Again, I thank you all for your continued support, in particular my employers Rick Graham and the team from Graham & Sons Upholsterers.
Yours in Fire-Fighting, Garry Jackson Chief Fire Officer MVFB
