Fire Brigade Report

Brent Townsend

By Chief Fire Officer Jake Hawkins

We reached the milestone of 200 Medical First Responses so far this year at Labour Weekend and we are rapidly approaching 300 calls in total. 

Our new Medical Responders are on board with training completed, and are now out responding to help in the community. A big thanks to everyone whom generously donated at the Town Hall Market Days over the long weekend, it will ensure we have the best equipment on hand when we are called to assist.

We are starting our planning and training for the forecast El Nino summer ahead. Remember, if you smell smoke or see smoke its time to Dial 111 immediately.

We have responded to several vegetation fire lately, its drying out, and a worthwhile reminder for people to be careful with controlled burns, check the weather and fire seasons with permit requirements for all types of fires (including braziers and cooking fires) – these can be checked anytime online at www.checkitsalright.nz 

Congratulations to Brett Townsend on completing thye Station Officers Course and his promotion to Station Officer and to Tamara Hudepohl, John Crighton and Corina Lawson on completing their Qualified Firefighter Course, all the feedback was hugely positive with lots of new skills ready for consolidation over the next few months.

By the time you read this we will have had our Covid-delayed Honours Night, recognising the years of service given by our members, and of special note was the presentation to Station Officer Chris Hooson of his Gold Star recognising over 25 years service to Fire & Emergency including having been the driving force behind both our Incident Support Vehicle and Medical Fire Response Unit. Chris' 25+ years service includes both paid and volunteer service, including time with Tora VRFF, Fire Communications Centre, Regional Training, Rural Fire Training and Assessment,

Incident Management and the New Zealand Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Deployment to the Christchurch Earthquake in 2011.

We also honoured our other members for their service, and our November Report will list all those who received Service Honours – Congratulations and a big thank you to you all for you contribution to the Brigade. 

If you have any queries about assistance or response please don’t hesitate to contact me directly – CFO Jake Hawkins – 0272-559-440