Six decades as a volunteer fireman
Brian Vincent credits his grandmother’s influence for instilling in him the values that have seen him join an elite club of volunteer firefighters who have served for 60 years.
Vincent, 83, who provides brigade support at punake, is one of just three people to reach the milestone in New Zealand.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Taranaki area manager Dave Utumapu said Vincent’s feat was so rare that when they were planning how to commemorate the occasion there were no established protocols.
‘‘It has been done so few times,’’ he said.
Utumapu, who presented Vincent with his 50-year medal, said the brigade appreciated his ongoing contribution. ‘‘Obviously we are super proud of him.’’
Vincent’s time in the fire service began on the East Coast when the then 23-year-old earthmoving contractor was invited to join the East Coast Bays brigade.
When his career brought him and his wife, Maureen, back to his hometown of Ra¯hotu, and then to punake, he joined the local brigades.
Vincent said he could remember his grandma, Alice Mumby, being involved with the Salvation Army when he was 6 years old. He believes this was the catalyst for his desire to help others.
‘‘I’m quite humble and proud about it, but you have got to remember there are over 13,000 volunteer firefighters in New Zealand and to me they all have to be recognised one day.
‘‘I joined to be a help to the public ... I never thought I would be around getting all these accolades.’’
While Vincent’s days of manning the pumps and racing into burning buildings are over, he still operates the radio at the station during callouts, taking notes about what was happening and who was where.
‘‘I still think about it; I know what they are up against. In general just what you can do to help.’’
Vincent said he enjoyed the camaraderie, describing Fire and Emergency New Zealand as a big family. But there was a downside.
‘‘There’s a lot of memories you want to forget, actually, when it comes to road deaths and burntout houses that were not insured.’’
He clearly recalls the Saturday night in October 1982 when fire broke out at punake High School. The blaze quickly spread to the school’s administration area, library and hall.
By the time the flames were extinguished the blaze had razed almost half the school.
‘‘That was the biggest one we have ever had,’’ he said.
Vincent has been a member of the punake Lions Club for 32 years, drives for Red Cross, volunteers at the Historic Cape Egmont Lighthouse and Museum, and served 12 years on the Egmont Plains Community Board.
Despite having had a stroke a couple of years ago, Vincent said he had no plans to slow down.
‘‘There’s no need to; I have no reason to.’’
He challenged the young people of the town to follow his example.
‘‘I joined to be a help to the public
. . . I never thought I would be around getting all these accolades.’’ Brian Vincent