Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Meet the emergency team
‘‘It’s actually nice to meet people when it’s not an emergency,’’ says David St John.
The Coastguard volunteer of the year is looking forward to Sunday’s Emergency Services Open Day in Picton.
Attending the event will be Coastguard Marlborough, St John’s, local fire crews and Marlborough Harbourmaster Luke Grogan.
David St John said there was a lot the emergency services did for the community that people didn’t know about.
‘‘This is the time for us to answer those questions and explain what we do,’’ St John said.
‘‘It’s actually nice to meet people when it’s not an emergency because you can actually stop and chat with them.’’
The Coastguard would this year be promoting their marine training programmes, including the new one-day boating course that had already provided close to 2000 qualifications this year alone.
The Marlborough Harbourmaster would be answering questions about the proposed Marlborough District Council marine bylaws.
But the event was more about maintaining a connection between the community and the emergency services, St John said. Both rescue boats would be there for people to look at, as well as a fire truck and the St John’s ambulance station would be open to the public.
And for children, the Inflatable Titanic would be making a berth.
‘‘We’ve always wanted the bouncy Titanic, and that’s what we will be getting.’’
Coastguard Marlborough was also asking the public to bring any old car batteries.
‘‘One of the ways we raise funds is we collect old car batteries, so if anyone has an old car battery they want to get rid of, bring it down and we’ll take it off your hands,’’ St John said.
‘‘Everybody from all ages is encouraged to come down and have a chat with us. See what we do. We are always looking for keen volunteers. We provide full training for anyone interested in being involved in the Coastguard and St John.’’
There would be also information on Coastguard boating education courses, emergency services training, and water safety.
The open day is on Sunday, October 15, from 10am to 2pm at the Olgilvie-Lee Emergency Operations Centre, 1 Hampden St, Picton Marina