Father-and-son firefighters honoured
Southern rural firefighters held one last celebration as an organisation as the rural and urban fire services prepare to merge next month.
More than 20 awards were given out to firefighters and brigades at the Ascot Park Hotel last night as Southern Rural Fire celebrated the achievements of volunteers and staff.
Principal rural fire officer Mike Grant said while it was the last time they would celebrate as the rural fire authority it would not be the last awards ceremony for the firefighters.
The new Fire and Emergency New Zealand organisation would have to think about how it held its awards in future, he said. Any celebrations next year were likely to not be as elaborate, Grant said.
Firefighter of the year was awarded to Hedgehope Rural Fire Force volunteer Rodger Sutton.
Southern Rural Fire deputy principal rural fire officer Elton Smith said Sutton had put his hand up for several different opportunities throughout the year, including a deployment to help with the Port Hills fires in February.
‘‘He’s just stood out as somebody who’s just always been there at both incidents and activities.’’
Sutton said he was ecstatic and surprised at the win.
‘‘It’s a great thing to be recognised for what you do ... it’s not what you go there [to the fires] for but it’s good to get recognition,’’ he said.
He became a firefighter 28 years ago and while the job was challenging, with several missed dinners, the social side, helping people in the community and stories to share made it worth the effort.
‘‘It’s a good lifestyle and it’s a good social thing.’’
His son Jeff Sutton also received an award on the night after he was nominated by his peers for the leadership scholarship award.
Smith said Jeff was a young firefighter who had shown a lot of initiative and was on a particular pathway moving into the future.
Jeff said he had followed in his father’s footsteps ever since he was about 5 years old.
For the past 10 years he had been ‘‘dragged along’’ to different fires, but had grown to love the profession as much as his dad, he said.
The co-responder award, which is given to a brigade for showing commitment and engagement to co-responder training and interaction with St John, was won by the Athol Volunteer Rural Fire Force.
With the Southern Rural Fire Authority set to be decommissioned in July, Des Minehan and Robin Pagan received plaques to recognise their contribution as long-standing board members.
Also given out at the ceremony were two awards for best kept fire depots and 15 long service good conduct medals.