Fire chiefs push for new recruits
Far North good sorts have stepped up to help their communities by becoming local firefighters.
But fire chiefs are still calling out for more volunteers, especially in small towns like Kaeo and on the West Coast.
Thirteen people have signed up with their local brigade since our
story ’ Firefighter shortage fears’, where Kaikohe chief fire officer Bill Hutchinson and other high-ranking firefighters highlighted the struggle to respond to emergencies during the work day.
Of those, six people have signed up in Kaikohe, three in Rawene and four in Kohukohu.
These brigades and others including Kaeo and Russell are still very short on numbers, and they need more community support, says Muri Whenua fire commander Wipari Henwood.
He says brigades on the West Coast and Kaeo are struggling for numbers with limited employment and housing opportunities meaning that people may work out of town.
Hutchinson says in the week from May 12, where the Kaikohe brigade responded to a major ammonia spill at Moerewa, they also attended three fatal accidents, and responded to a total of 15 fire callouts.
He says this means the same people are attending the major incidents, but doesn’t want that to put off potential volunteers. Volunteer recruits can complete their basic firefighters course after three months of training.
‘‘You are not dumped into those situations, we manage who attends incidents and support is provided,’’ Hutchinson says.
Hutchinson, who has been a firefighter for 41 years, says it’s about being able to do something positive by contributing to the community.
‘‘You become part of a wider family and it’s an essential service. You get to do great things and meet great people. If you turn up we look after the training.’’
While the six new people signing up is positive he says, the brigade faced a similar shortage a few years ago. There was an influx then but now some of those people have moved away.
Henwood says unless brigades have people to man the fire engines, there will be a slower response.
‘‘The community needs to be able to help themselves.’’