Otago Daily Times

Minister praises brigade’s diversity

QUEENSTOWN

- TRACEY ROXBURGH tracey.roxburgh@odt.co.nz

QUEENSTOWN’S refurbishe­d $4 million fire station has been officially opened by Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti, who praised the number of women in Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade ranks.

The station was completed last October, once it had been upgraded to a fivestar earthquake rating and met 100% of the national building standard.

Ms Tinetti said earthquake­s in Christchur­ch and Wellington had reinforced the need for emergency service buildings to be able to withstand those events.

Upgrades included separating the locker room, expanding the operations room, new technology, more space for training, refurbishi­ng social rooms and more bedrooms.

The brigade would now have six people living at the station at all times, instead of four, plus a further two spare bedrooms.

Speaking at Saturday’s official ceremony, Ms Tinetti acknowledg­ed Queenstown’s Chief Fire Officer, Terry O’Connell, for the number and quality of diverse and skilled volunteers he had enlisted.

As Minister for Women, she said it was also ‘‘great’’ to see a growing number of women join the ranks.

There are 14 women among Queenstown’s 50 volunteers, which equated to 27%, slightly higher than the regional average of 16%.

Overall, the majority of the volunteers came from overseas — 18 were

New Zealanders — making it one of the most diverse brigades in the country.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand board chairman Paul Swain said one of the main focuses for Fenz was ensuring its staff and volunteers looked after their own mental health, and when they attended incidents ‘‘they need to come home safe’’.

‘‘Firefighte­rs are doing a lot more than what they used to — it’s not just fires.

‘‘Firefighte­rs will see things . . . the rest of us have never seen in our lifetime.

‘‘It’s really important people [do] a checkin on their mental health.

 ?? PHOTO: TRACEY ROXBURGH ?? Officially opened . . . Attending the opening ceremony for Queenstown’s refurbishe­d Isle St fire station are (from left) Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade member Corrie Middendorf, Debbie Sutherland, of St John, Fire and Emergency NZ board chairman Paul Swain, Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti, and volunteers Pri Da Silva and Fearghal McGuinness.
PHOTO: TRACEY ROXBURGH Officially opened . . . Attending the opening ceremony for Queenstown’s refurbishe­d Isle St fire station are (from left) Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade member Corrie Middendorf, Debbie Sutherland, of St John, Fire and Emergency NZ board chairman Paul Swain, Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti, and volunteers Pri Da Silva and Fearghal McGuinness.

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