Brigade marks 50 years service
The Omokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade celebrated amajor milestone on Saturday — May 27 marked 50 years service to its community.
Many retired firefighters returned to the Omokoroa Fire Station to celebrate, with a tour and demonstration, and reminisce before a formal welcome and dinner.
Brigade Life Member and Chief Fire Officer Ian Blunt said during those 50 years there had been huge changes, “although Iwasn’t here in 1967”.
In those days it was an urban fire brigade with Tauranga County Council and the brigade was transferred to the NZ Fire Service in 1975, soon to become Fire Emergency New Zealand, he said.
“I am proud to manage and lead these people and belong to a brigade that has put in a huge amount of effort serving this community.”
The brigade recently included a First Response unit, in response to community need.
Plaques acknowledging the brigade’s 50 years service were presented to Mr Blunt by Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber, on behalf of NZ Fire Service Commission Chairman, Paul Swain and Fire Service area manager for Bay of Plenty Coast Murray Binning, on behalf of Region Manager, Ron Devlin.
Mr Webber read a letter from Mr Swain congratulating all members and thanking them on behalf of the nation.
Mr Binning said 50 years service was a significant contribution.
“What’s more amazing is the volunteer contribution. This community supported the volunteers with the brigade’s establishment 50 years ago and continue to do so. This is a very strong fire brigade.”
He paid tribute to foundation members John Luckman, Don Leek and the late Fred Bishop, who made their own equipment and pioneered road traffic crashes in the community.
Life members, Mr Luckman and Mr Leek both held the rank of fire chief before retiring from the brigade, and were at the celebratory event.
Mr Luckman said the idea to form a brigade in Omokoroa came about after his car caught fire one night outside their home on Cooney’s farm. The glare of the fire woke them up.
“I told my wife Wilma to take our three little kids to neighbour Alec McGregor’s place.”
While waiting for help he lugged a fridge, double bed, a rolled armed sofa and the kid’s birthday presents outside in case it spread to the house.
“Half an hour later Alec arrived with an old Ford ute and a nylon rope to pull the car away from the house. The tyres were on fire and when he started to tow the car the rope got longer and thinner and I shouted to him to look out.
“We managed to get it away from the house but I lost all my tools in the back of the car.”
The brigade was established on May 24, 1967. Fred Bishop was the first fire chief and they operated out of Mr Leek’s workshop.
“We’d put a siren on the top, plug it in and my wife Margaret would turn it on. We started with a standpipe and a few hoses. Our gear was housed in a pump shed.” He recalled going out to a couple of boat fires.
“We’d row out and put a portable pump in the dinghy to pump sea water to put the fire out.”
John Luckman was second fire chief in 1968 and when he retired Mr Leek became fire chief in 1979.
The Luckman family— John, Barry, Bruce and the late Fred— were all members of the brigade.Nieces Jenny and Darryl are members. Barry Luckman was in his early 20s when he joined.
“The highlight for me was belonging to a great group of guys. Of the originals there’s only a handful left, so it’s pretty special to reminisce.”
Mr Leek’s son John is senior station officer and a Gold Star recipient for 25 years service. He joined the brigade in 1980 to “get out and help people”.
“When I first joined we had 12 calls. Last year we had over 100.”
His brothers Brent and Athony have been firefighters and his son Ross, 25 is in the brigade.
“It becomes part of your life. I’d like to be around to get a double gold star (50 years),” he said.