Meet your fire fighters

A couple years after Michael Thomas, a Gold Star and Life Member of the Martinborough Fire Brigade retired from active membership, his son Wayne signed up.  Wayne, known as Tommo to the Brigade, was a green recruit less than 5 years ago but has take on quite a bit of responsibility as a driver and occasionally operating the pump.  He is most comfortable, donning breathing apparatus and leading a crew into the action.  He will be taking a week-long course in Wellington in May for his Certificate as Qualified Fire Fighter.

Wayne is self employed as Thomas Electrical, providing installations, appliance repairs, Freeview installations and general electrical work.  As a father of two, daughter Silva age 9 and Devon age 5 months, time for other hobbies are rare but does enjoy time at his bach at Ningnong Bay (Tekopi) and a bit of fishing.

He remembers well the 16 hours of fighting a vegetation fire near Ngawi a few years ago.  It was a huge fire, requiring a lot of hard work by the brigade along with rural brigades.  Wayne’s  first aid training came in handy as he was called on to assist in the treatment of a women at the scene for smoke inhalation.  He says there are many other stories but best to ask him over a beer sometime.
Wayne says for those thinking of the fire service “It’s great for a young person.  I’m personally not into some of the military aspects but I realise there is discipline required to make sure crews can act professionally and safely when the pressure is on.”

Wayne Thomas