100 years of fighting fires

‘‘It is definitely a milestone in every firefighter's career to reach 25 years. Fifteen is the first milestone and then 25.’’

More than 100 years of bravery, early starts and camaraderie has been recognised by the Te Horo Rural Fire Service.

Fire chief Bryan Sutton, senior fire officer Brent Spence and station officer John Connolly all received gold stars for 25 years’ service at the brigade’s honours night held recently.

Steve Borrell and Peter Leckie received 15-year good conduct medals at the same function.

Sutton said it was receive the award.

‘‘It is definitely a milestone in every firefighter’s career to reach 25 years. Fifteen is the first milestone and then 25.

‘‘They are good men, if you like. It shows the depth of experience in the brig- ‘‘awesome’’ to ade.’’

Sutton said the Red House Cafe fire last year was one of his most memorable callouts, along with large fire in the area over a decade ago, which burned about 40 acres of scrub, and was put out near some beachside houses.

He said a fire that started opposite the Plimmerton Weigh Station, which took out a pine plantation, was also particularly memorable.

About 130 people attended the function. Sutton said firefighters worked out there was about 145 years of experience between all the firefighters present on the night.

He said there were a variety of things that kept him coming back.

‘‘It’s your mates. It’s the camaraderie. Helping people out.’’

Te Horo Rural Fire Force responds to about 60 callouts a year from Te Horo, the Kapiti district, and is called on for its specialist training to support major rural fire fighting in the wider Wellington region.

Today, it has 16 trained firefighters, two four-wheel drive appliances, and upto-date equipment at its purpose-built base on School Rd.