Firefighting on the water
‘‘This is a whole new field we’re entering into with response’’
Nga¯ ruawa¯ hia Fire Chief Karl Lapwood
A water skier who suffered a suspected broken leg on the Waikato River has already benefited from the country’s first firefighting jet ski.
With no phone to raise the alarm following Saturday’s incident, those with the man ran up to a riverside house for help.
‘‘A member of the public knew we had this jet ski and called 111, so we responded,’’ Nga¯ ruawa¯ hia Fire Chief Karl Lapwood said. ‘‘We found them opposite the golf course and assisted getting them back to the boat ramp.’’
The Kawasaki ski is equipped with a 160 horsepower engine, four rescue vests and throw bags and will soon have a spotlight and beacon. It is specifically fitted-out for rescuing people from the river’s perilous waters.
The idea to fundraise for a ski spawned a year ago after the daring rescue of an eight-year-old girl from the Waikato River. She’d been swimming with others at the Old Taupiri Rd riverbank when she was swept downstream, managing to grab on to one of the middle piles.
Volunteer firefighter Nathan Spitzer stripped down and swum out to rescue the girl who was by then in a hypothermic state.
‘‘With a jet ski we can get out to the people without risking anyone swimming,’’ Lapwood said.
Already the jet ski is getting put to use, undertaking two river rescues in the last three weeks. And about three weeks ago a water skier was seriously injured when the gear box on the speed boat seized.
‘‘The skier overran the boat, got tangled in the rope and did a few somersaults.’’
Firefighters had the jet ski on the river in five minutes, Lapwood said, using the throw rope to tow the boat to shore.
‘‘We have the ability to get on the river quickly – in that case we were on the river in five minutes, an extremely good response time. It’s going to reduce the time, help give us access to the people and generally will save lives.’’ But getting the jet ski on the water hasn’t been an easy feat.
Lapwood has worked with Fire and Emergency NZ for the last year to gain approval. He’s put together health and safety plans and operational procedures before getting the tick from a board of regional managers.
Under the Fire and Emergency Act 2017, volunteer brigades are now legislated to respond to incidents outside the ‘‘core business of fires’’.
‘‘This is a whole new field we’re entering into with response.’’
Firefighters using the jetski have undertaken swift-water training at the Manukau waterpark. Ten brigade members will be able to respond in firefighting gear or wetsuits.
Sponsorship for the $16,995 four-cyclinder, four-stroke engine jetski came from local businesses including the Ngaruawahia Golf Club and $10,000 from the Horotiu-based Kawasaki dealership Nautique.