The Brigade looks for volunteers with a variety of skills and experience. In the case of one of our newer members, Brett Pedersen, he came looking for us with heaps of experience so helpful to the brigade.
Born into a farming family in Hawkes Bay, Brett grew up on his grandfathers sheep and beef farm driving anything that moved. The farm is still in the family now run by his brother. Brett decided to try different careers about every 7 years according to wife Tina so they have lived in several places including Napier as owners of an Irish pub. Along the way Brett has qualified for a class 5 driving license. Their extended family live all around New Zealand.
He and Tina own and manage the Claremont Motel on Regent street offering accommodation and conference facilities.
Fire fighting is a family tradition with his father Roy starting the Ashley-Clinton Brigade where Brett started his career and two of his brothers still volunteer there. He joined here three years ago. He says, “It’s about the community service first of all but also the camaraderie and social aspects of the Brigade are important for the team.”
Brett enjoys deer stalking with son Tom, who is a volunteer in the Waipukurau Brigade, and has supplied venison steaks for a few Brigade BBQs.
His advice to potential recruits is to come along and meet the members and see what we do. He says the basic week long course in Rotorua is “fantastic” at the first-class National Training Centre in Rotorua. Brett also points out the need for a variety of skills within the Brigade and joining is an opportunity for someone to contribute those skills to the benefit of the community.
