<![CDATA[Lake Okareka Volunteer Fire Brigade

<![CDATA[Lake Okareka Volunteer Fire Brigade - LŌCA Articles]]>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:25:40 +1200Weebly<![CDATA[Lake Ōkāreka Community Newsletter - Autumn 2026]]>Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:45:19 GMThttps://www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz/loca-articles/lake-okareka-community-newsletter-autumn-2026The beginning of the year has swung between disruptive storms and bright, sun‑soaked days, reminding us how quickly conditions can change and why staying prepared matters for everyone.

Community Emergency Hub and States of Emergency
In the first four months of this year, ten districts declared States of Emergency lasting between one and two weeks, and a further eleven shorter emergencies affected multiple regions for a few days. These events underline how quickly local services and power can be disrupted.

So we are in the final stages of equipping the Lake Ōkāreka Community Emergency Hub. Together with LŌCA, we purchased a 44 kVA generator to keep the hub running during prolonged power outages caused by severe weather or other natural disasters. Thanks to local support from Brad Christie of BSK Consulting Engineers for the structural design and building consent exemption application, and Stu Pinfold’s Hudson Transport for delivering the generator to the station. Once council approval is granted, we’ll lay foundations and install the generator.

LŌCA and Rotorua Lakes Council have supplied additional equipment and resources for the hub. The Lake Ōkāreka Community Response Plan and Evacuation Guide are available online at www.lakeokareka.org/okareka-civil-defence. Please read both, so you know what to do, where to go, and what to expect from our local natural hazards.

Severe Weather Responses
We’ve been busy on the ground. This year, the brigade has been called out four times to clear trees blocking both lanes of traffic. Two incidents to note:

On 11 February, lightning struck a tree on Acacia Peninsula, and it caught fire. A quick-thinking neighbour used a garden hose to extinguish the flames before the brigade arrived.
On 13 February, a large tree struck a local resident’s car as they were entering Lake Ōkāreka. The driver avoided serious injury, and the fire and ambulance services assisted at the scene.

These events are a reminder to keep trees near driveways and roads maintained and to report hazardous trees early.

New Firefighters and Training Progress

Briana Lang and Coniah Erasmus joined the brigade in October. Since then, they have completed the introductory vegetation firefighter course, a medical first aid certificate, and a defensive driving course. Their driver’s licenses have been reimbursed. They will complete a fire pump operation in May, an aircraft safety course, and a vehicle and structure fire course in June.
Finn Dooley joined in March and will begin his first courses in May.
Arlo Garden is about to start the joining process.

Support volunteers

Liz Waterhouse kindly volunteered in November to look after the station gardens.
Clarence Compton has managed our lawn mowing since January 2025.
Nigel Escott has volunteered since December 2024, carrying out essential monthly vehicle and equipment checks of our fire trucks and ute.

Why this matters: Every new recruit and volunteer increases our ability to respond quickly and safely. Training is ongoing and supported by the brigade, so new members can build skills while contributing to the community.

How You Can Help

Volunteer roles we need

Frontline firefighters
Support roles include station care, uniform management, treasurer, and secretary
Garden and grounds volunteers to keep the station safe and welcoming
Community Emergency Hub volunteers

Get involved. If you are interested in joining as a firefighter or in a support role, please contact me.

Small actions that help

Keep driveways and access routes clear for emergency vehicles
Trim or report hazardous trees near roads and power lines
Prepare a simple emergency kit and plan for your household

Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the brigade so far, especially the locals who stepped up with expertise and logistics. Your time, skills, and generosity make a real difference when our community needs it most.

Stay safe, stay prepared, and if you want to be part of the team that protects Lake Ōkāreka, we’d love to hear from you.

Kierin Oppatt - Chief Fire Officer
Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade
027 777 5130 or kierin.oppatt@fireandemergency.nz

]]><![CDATA[Lake Ōkāreka Newsletter - Summer 2025/26]]>Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMThttps://www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz/loca-articles/lake-okareka-newsletter-summer-202526As we head into February, summer has brought a full and fast‑paced season for our brigade, from national wildfire support to local rescues, community sports events, and practical fire‑risk planning. Below are key highlights, lessons learned, and ways you can help keep our community safe.

Tongariro National Park Fire — regional support and hard numbers
What happened: A significant wildfire of 3,000 ha in the Tongariro National Park required a large aerial response, with 22 aircraft involved in suppression and mapping operations.

Our role: Dave Herries was deployed to the incident management team as a planning manager, helping coordinate resources and strategy. Erin Eggleston and Rich Lang supported Interpine Innovation by conducting thermal drone flights and mapping, and by providing critical intelligence on fire behaviour and hotspots.

Fire behaviour: The fire’s intensity was calculated between 7,900 to 19,000 kW/m. For context, anything above 4,000 kW/m is considered too intense for effective head‑on aircraft attack with long‑term retardants and too dangerous for ground crews. Fortunately, favourable winds and timely rain kept the fire front from changing direction and the blaze burnt out on Mt Tongariro without further spread.

Takeaway: High‑intensity fires can exceed the capabilities of both aerial and ground attack; accurate mapping and coordinated planning are essential to protect people and infrastructure.

Tarawera Road — trees down during strong winds
At 4:08 pm on 29 December, our crew responded to a tree that had come down across both lanes of Tarawera Road. The Rotorua Fire Brigade quickly closed the road, cleared the debris, and had traffic moving again by 4:36 pm. Fulton Hogan teams supported the remaining clean‑up. Not long after we returned to the station, a second call came in at 5:00 pm. A much larger tree had fallen in an area where vehicles had been queuing only moments earlier. Fortunately, no one was struck or injured.

Steve Gattenby (Lake Tarawera) and Fulton Hogan began work on removing the larger tree, while our crew assisted by moving vehicles away from other hazardous, overhanging trees, then helped with the clean‑up. Tarawera Road was fully reopened at 6:43 pm.

Safety reminder: When clearing branches from the road, live powerlines can be hidden underneath. Look up and live is a simple reminder to always check above you for electrical hazards before you start. Do not drive or park under large overhanging trees during strong winds. If you see a hazard, call it in and move vehicles away from danger. Quick reporting can prevent serious injuries or fatalities.

FENZ National Mountain Bike Championship
We hosted the FENZ National Mountain Bike Championship on the 20th and 21st of November, welcoming 72 competitors from around the country. Conditions were excellent on both days, and we wrapped up with a prizegiving at the station.

Daniel Cobb from our brigade took out 1st overall in the enduro event — congratulations, Daniel. Halee Smith from the Rotorua Brigade claimed 1st in the women’s category, and Sam Sutton from the Okere Falls Brigade topped the e‑bike division. Jesse Oppatt and I picked up more modest results, placing 4th and 7th in the open men’s category.

Thanks to Erin Eggleston (event organiser), our volunteer marshals, prize‑giving helpers, Rotorua Spa Shop (ice bath and spa pools), Rotorua Mountain Biking Club (event trailer), Geoff Carter (handmade awards) and all sponsors and partners who provided prizes or funding. Your support helped turn the competition into a truly memorable event.

Rural Fire Risk Planning — FireMapper site inspections
Tai Royal asked for help developing a rural fire risk management plan. On 16 December, Dave Herries and Paul Hunter (Risk and Reduction Advisor, Fire and Emergency NZ) completed a site inspection. Dave mapped access roads, steep terrain, turn‑around areas, structures, hazards (including hazardous chemicals), and water supplies using FireMapper, a secure programme used by Fire and Emergency NZ. Following this, we have mapped TW Moore Quarry, Blue Lake Holiday Park, Playne’s Farm, and we have started residential properties in Lake Ōkāreka.

Why it matters: Having mapped access routes, water supplies and hazardous chemicals saves crucial time during a fire and helps protect people, property, animals and responders.

If you’re interested, and you own a farm or lifestyle block in Lake Ōkāreka, we are happy to carry out a site inspection or talk you through how FireMapper works. Get in touch, and I’ll arrange a visit.

If you have a residential property in Lake Ōkāreka with large LPG cylinders, flammable liquids (such as petrol or diesel), or other hazardous chemicals, please let me know so we can record them in the app.

Acknowledgements
Thank you to everyone who stepped up this season — our deployed members, local volunteers, partner agencies, Fulton Hogan, Rotorua Fire Brigade, Interpine Innovation, Rotorua Mountain Biking Club, Rotorua Spa Shop, and all sponsors. Your teamwork keeps Lake Ōkāreka safer.

Ngā mihi nui,

Kierin Oppatt - Chief Fire Officer
Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade
027 777 5130 or kierin.oppatt@fireandemergency.nz

]]><![CDATA[Lake Ōkāreka Newsletter - Spring 2025]]>Sun, 09 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMThttps://www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz/loca-articles/lake-okareka-newsletter-spring-2025It has been a busy few months for our brigade, with several significant callouts that highlight both the challenges of our work and the strength of collaboration across emergency services.

Rescue on Kataore Track
Our firefighters joined Rotorua Fire, Peak Safety medics from the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club, and Hato Hone St John ambulance officers to rescue an injured mountain biker on the Kataore track. The rider had sustained an open tibia fracture on the steep grade 5 trail.

The patient was carefully stabilised in a vacuum mattress and secured onto a mule wheel stretcher. With firefighters manoeuvring the stretcher and Peak medics belaying it by rope, the team worked methodically down the track. This was a textbook example of teamwork across agencies, ensuring the patient received the best possible care in a challenging environment.

Cardiac Arrest in Whakarewarewa Forest
We responded to another cardiac arrest in the Whakarewarewa Forest, this time involving a 56-year-old. Thanks to the immediate actions of the Peak Safety Medic on the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club First Response Unit, CPR was started straight away, and an AED delivered a lifesaving shock.

CPR was continued for another six minutes until the patient developed a pulse, began breathing, and even regained consciousness. St John Ambulance, Rotorua Fire, and a rescue helicopter followed quickly, and the patient was transported to Rotorua Hospital.

This incident is a powerful reminder of the chain of survival: early CPR, early defibrillation, and rapid response from emergency services. The presence of the Mountain Bike FRU was critical in saving a life that day.

Water Tanker Responses
Our water tanker has also been active in recent months. Crews spent three hours on scene at the Whakarewarewa Rugby Community Sports Club fire, providing additional water support. In October, a team was placed on standby during a series of 14 vegetation fires in Hawke’s Bay, where five households in Pōrangahau were precautionarily evacuated. The truck has responded to multiple structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, and two alarm activations.

Acknowledgement
We’re proud of the dedication shown by our volunteers and grateful for the strong partnerships with Rotorua Fire, Peak Safety, Hato Hone St John, and the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club. Together, we continue to serve our community.

Stay safe, and thank you for your ongoing support!

Ngā mihi nui,

Kierin Oppatt - Chief Fire Officer
Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade
027 777 5130 or kierin.oppatt@fireandemergency.nz

]]><![CDATA[Lake Ōkāreka Newsletter - Winter 2025]]>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 13:58:12 GMThttps://www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz/loca-articles/lake-okareka-newsletter-september-2025

Welcome to the latest update from your Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade. As summer nears, we’re focusing on growing our team, boosting community preparedness, and celebrating the ongoing efforts of our people both here at home and abroad. Read on for our key initiatives and how you can get involved.

Youth Recruitment & Driver Training Incentives
We’re calling all local teenagers and residents aged 16 and up to join the brigade and kick-start your driving experience. Our brigade offers

Class 1 learners, restricted, and full licence fee reimbursement
Approved defensive driving course reimbursement
Qualifications for four-wheel-driving and emergency response
Access to Class 2 and Class 4 licence training and licences

Whether you’re aiming to drive our appliances or boost your skill set, we’ll guide you through every step and cover the costs. Furthermore, teenagers who volunteer with fire brigades have better success with future university applications, university hall admissions, scholarship applications, and job applications.

Phil Muldoon's crew consists of William Sinclair, Zac Searle, Geoff Brown, Roger Nelson, and Emma Gibb.

Canadian Wildfires
Phil Muldoon is on deployment at Cross Lake in Manitoba for six weeks, aiding Canadian crews as they battle one of the country’s most intense wildfire seasons on record. So far in 2025, more than 5.8 million hectares have burned across provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Hundreds of active fires have forced thousands from their homes and generated smoke plumes that drift as far south as the northern United States.

Incident Response Recap
It’s been quieter here at Lake Ōkāreka, with only a handful of callouts so far. While fewer fires, weather events, and medical assists mean calm nights for our crews, we remain on high alert. Training drills are conducted weekly, ensuring that every firefighter stays sharp and ready.

Call for Community Emergency Hub Volunteers
Have you managed projects, teams, or resources in your profession? LOCA is building a Community Emergency Hub and is seeking individuals with experience in administration and coordination. As a hub team member, you’ll:

Develop local contingency plans
Coordinate supply logistics during events
Facilitate communication between agencies and residents

Your skills could strengthen our collective resilience when disasters strike.

Final Thoughts
Thank you for being part of this vibrant community. Stay safe, stay prepared, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to volunteer, learn more about our driver training, or get involved with the emergency hub.

Ngā mihi nui,
The Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade Team 🚒

Kierin Oppatt - Chief Fire Officer
Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade
027 777 5130 or kierin.oppatt@fireandemergency.nz

]]><![CDATA[Lake Ōkāreka Newsletter - Autumn 2025]]>Thu, 29 May 2025 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz/loca-articles/lake-okareka-newsletter-autumn-2025Greetings to the Lake Ōkāreka community! It has been a busy couple of months for our brigade, with emergency responses ranging from life-saving rescues to community events. As always, we appreciate your vigilance, support, and commitment to keeping our little slice of paradise safe.

A Life Saved in the Forest
On February 25th, quick action and teamwork led to a remarkable outcome when a mountain biker suffered a cardiac arrest in the forest. Our team was first on scene, administering compressions, ventilations, and utilising our AED before ambulance crews arrived. Thanks to these efforts, the cyclist was successfully resuscitated. A powerful reminder of the importance of early recognition and bystander CPR.

If you’re out in the forest, knowing your exact location can make all the difference in a crisis. Should an emergency occur, call 111 immediately and contact the Mountain Bike First Response Unit at 0800 WHAKA1 (0800 942 521).

Rescue on the Lake Ōkāreka Walkway
On March 15th, we worked alongside ambulance crews to assist an injured walker on the Lake Ōkāreka track. Our emergency basket and stretcher became essential tools for safe extraction. A huge thank you to Ray Cook, whose barge ensured the patient’s transport was swift and secure.

Kids' Raft Race – A Splashing Success!
March 24th brought our annual Kids’ Raft Race, an evening of creativity, teamwork, and plenty of laughs on the lake. The Lynmore Scouts turned out in full force, showing great skill and enthusiasm. Thanks to Sean Bowyer for barge support on the water. A special shoutout to Telfer Marine Rotorua for the fantastic prizes and to all the locals who cheered the young rafters on from the water. Events like this highlight the community spirit that makes Lake Ōkāreka special!

Fire on the Walkway – Local Heroes Step Up
April 15th saw an unexpected threat—a vegetation fire along the Lake Ōkāreka Walkway. Thanks to two quick-thinking tourists who reported the incident and provided evidence to the police. Meanwhile, local runners Luka and Keegan stepped up in an extraordinary way, smothering the flames, preventing further damage. Their initiative is a prime example of community responsibility in action!

Fallen Trees on Tarawera Road – Drive Safe!
On April 28th, two large pine trees crashed on Tarawera Road near the Redwood Park subdivision. Unfortunately, two vehicles collided with the fallen trees, but thankfully, all occupants escaped injury. With autumn bringing unpredictable weather, it’s a timely reminder to stay alert, as rain, wind, fallen debris, and frost can all contribute to dangerous driving conditions.

Final Thoughts
A massive thank-you to everyone who contributes to keeping our community safe, whether it’s reporting incidents, stepping in to help, or simply staying informed. If you'd like to get involved or have any questions for the brigade, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Stay safe, stay prepared, and we’ll see you around the community!

Kierin Oppatt - Chief Fire Officer
Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade
027 777 5130 or kierin.oppatt@fireandemergency.nz

]]><![CDATA[Lake Ōkāreka Newsletter - Summer 2024/25]]>Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMThttps://www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz/loca-articles/lake-okareka-newsletter-summer-202425Welcome to our latest community newsletter, where we bring you the latest news, stories, and updates from your local Volunteer Fire Brigade. We're here to keep you safe and informed and are excited to share what we've been up to!

In a massive effort in Waikato from the 23rd to the 25th of October, our team was crucial in combating a 1000-ha wetland fire near Mercer in the Waikato. As the planning manager, Dave Herries was part of the incident management team, while I oversaw aircraft use as the air support supervisor. With the combined efforts of eight helicopters, two aircraft, and dedicated ground crews, Fire and Emergency successfully contained and extinguished the fire.

Our fire crews had a busy few weeks in November and December. On the 20th and 28th of November, we spent the night attending to vegetation fires in Te Puna near Tauranga and Lichfield in South Waikato. On the 18th of December, we were called to Putauaki (Mt Edgecumbe) to tackle another vegetation fire. Additionally, November and December saw multiple seperate callouts for vehicle and machinery fires, including a car, truck, forklift, harvester, house bus, and house fire. Despite the hectic schedule, our team's dedication and expertise ensured all incidents were managed effectively.

Fortunately, there were no incidents over Christmas and New Year, giving our members a well-deserved break. However, this was short-lived, and two crews responded to Tahorakuri Forest 20km North of Taupo on the 15th of January, with one returning at 10 am the next day. Thirty-two firefighters from Taupō, Rotorua, Tokoroa, Lake Ōkāreka, Lake Tarawera, Ngongotaha, Edgecumbe, Eastern Bay and Tauranga brigades were in attendance. Twelve trucks, tankers and support vehicles were on the ground, while three helicopters worked from the air. Another crew from our brigade returned on the 17th to assist with the 30m containment line.

As of the 4th of December, we remain in a restricted fire season. This means you need a permit to light most types of open-air fires, such as campfires, bonfires, burn piles, and land management burns. Please exercise caution when cooking on a BBQ, mowing lawns, or using power tools near dry vegetation. If you come across campfires on the edge of our lakes or forests, kindly inform the person it's a restricted fire and extinguish it. If they refuse, leave them and call 111 with a good description of the location and type of fire. Your vigilance helps keep our community and forests safe.

Join Your Local Brigade

We always seek passionate and dedicated individuals to join our fire brigade. Whether you want to become a firefighter or support our brigade, there's a role for everyone. Joining us is rewarding to give back to the community and make a difference. Contact us on our website, www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz, for more information on our callouts and how to get involved.

Stay Safe and Connected

Your safety is our top priority. Follow us on Facebook for real-time updates, safety tips, and event announcements. Thank you for your continued support, and remember, together, we can keep Lake Ōkāreka safe and connected. We hope everyone in the community had a safe and relaxing holiday season.

Ngā mihi nui,
The Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade Team 🚒

Kierin Oppatt - Chief Fire Officer
Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade
027 777 5130 or kierin.oppatt@fireandemergency.nz

]]><![CDATA[Lake Ōkāreka Newsletter - Spring 2024]]>Sat, 28 Sep 2024 05:10:39 GMThttps://www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz/loca-articles/lake-okareka-newsletter-spring-2024As the days grew shorter and the chill settled over our beautiful community, the Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade remained vigilant. While our winter was relatively quiet, we stood ready to respond whenever our neighbours needed us. Here’s a brief recap of our recent incidents.

On three occasions, fierce weather has swept through our community, leaving fallen trees in its wake, in one incident on Acacia Road, soil and vegetation succumbed to the elements, blocking the road. Call 111 and ask for the fire brigade if you ever encounter a similar situation. If there is a large amount of debris once you’ve called 111, call Rotorua Council Tree Removal on 07 348 4199. Save this number in your phone; the quicker resources arrive, the faster the road will be cleared.

In an unexpected turn of events, a small fire broke out in the Lake Tikitapu Boat Ramp Toilets. The culprit? A misbehaving light fitting! Erin swiftly contained the blaze, ensuring this essential facility remains operational for visitors. Remember, fire safety matters everywhere—even in the most unexpected places.

In July, we responded to a medical event on the edge of our community. To all medical professionals in Lake Ōkāreka, we encourage you to download the GoodSAM app. It’s a powerful tool that connects medical professionals with those in need, bridging the gap until an ambulance arrives. I can offer training, equipment, education, and support for using the app.

Phil Muldoon was involved in another five-week deployment to Canada, but this time, it was in Alberta. He was part of a twenty-one-person contingent that arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, on Tuesday, 30th July. His crew worked on multiple fires, including one located 23km north of Worsley, which was approximately 12,000ha, a second 80ha fire 54km to the west, a third 15ha fire straddling the border with British Columbia, and the fourth 160ha fire near Grande Prairie.

In total, 5.3 million hectares (13.1 million acres) have burned to date in 2024, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, and more than 600 fires are still raging across the country, mainly in British Columbia, as of the end of September. The 2024 wildfire season ranks among the top six in the last 50 years.

Community Support and Preparedness

Our brigade has recently lost multiple members who have moved out of Rotorua. We currently have just enough members to cover the vehicles. If you’d like to contribute to our brigade or learn more about our work, please contact me on 027 777 5130. And don’t forget to join us for our next community open day—because camaraderie and community go hand in hand!

As we move into spring, let’s celebrate our dedicated volunteers and their commitment to looking after Lake Ōkāreka. Remember, emergencies can happen anytime, so stay informed, stay prepared, and know that your fire brigade is just a call away.

Thank you for being part of our tight-knit community. Together, we make Lake Ōkāreka a safer place for all.

Kierin Oppatt - Chief Fire Officer
Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade
027 777 5130 or kierin.oppatt@fireandemergency.nz

]]><![CDATA[Lake Ōkāreka Newsletter - Autumn 2024]]>Thu, 30 May 2024 12:00:00 GMThttps://www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz/loca-articles/lake-okareka-newsletter-autumn-2024

Summer and autumn brought an uneventful fire season due to good fire safety practices and favourable conditions. However, the brigade played a crucial role when we responded to Matakana Island from December 24th to 28th for a fire that began on the 23rd night and burned 37ha of vegetation, slash, and pine forest. We sent our fire truck, ute, and two crews of firefighters to assist twenty firefighters, three helicopters, and heavy machinery.

A reminder: if you plan to light an outdoor fire, use www.checkitsalright.nz, submit an online fire notification, get a fire permit if required, and follow council bylaws and rules.

Queensland experienced over 1,000 vegetation fires from September to November, resulting in a burn scar of 753,806 hectares. Phil Muldoon led a crew of five firefighters. The crew was part of a New Zealand contingent that sent four crews and two strike team leaders. Unfortunately, Queensland experienced five fatalities, 70 houses were lost, and more than 600 damage assessments were undertaken during this fire season.

On January 4th, we were called to an injured wakeboarder in the lake. Phil and Jack Eggleston had an eventful jet ski ride; they used our rescue stretcher to extricate the person from the lake onto the back of the boat, where he was transported to an ambulance at the DOC campsite. In February, we attended another medical event. We extend our gratitude to the doctor who responded using the GoodSAM app. If you’re a medical professional in the community, we encourage you to download the app. I can provide training, education, discussion, and support around its use.

We celebrated our 40th anniversary on December 2nd and held our first Fire & Emergency (FENZ) Service Awards Ceremony to honour the outstanding contributions of our members. We have never sought recognition, but we felt it was time to acknowledge our team's dedication and hard work. It was a memorable afternoon with family members, representatives from volunteer brigades in Rotorua and dignitaries from the council, government, and FENZ.

Join Our Fire Brigade: Be the Heart of Community Resilience
If you’re passionate about community service, emergency response, and making a real impact, consider joining our brigade. We're seeking dedicated individuals like you to join our ranks. Whether you’re after a new challenge or someone with administrative skills, there’s a place for you in our team. By joining us, you'll be at the heart of community resilience, making a difference when it matters most.

Roles Available
Firefighters: Their work extends beyond extinguishing fires. It is a fulfilling, rewarding, and selfless opportunity that serves the community when it needs it most.
Administrators: Behind the scenes, administrators manage logistics, communications, and paperwork. Your organisational skills will keep our brigade running smoothly.

Kierin Oppatt - Chief Fire Officer
Lake Okareka Volunteer Fire Brigade
027 777 5130 or kierin.oppatt@fireandemergency.nz

]]><![CDATA[Lake Ōkāreka Newsletter - Winter 2023]]>Tue, 26 Sep 2023 10:27:44 GMThttps://www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz/loca-articles/lake-okareka-newsletter-winter-2023There have been multiple changes within the brigade in the past few months. I was nominated chief in February by our members. I joined 18 years ago and have held various roles, from firefighter, crew leader, station training coordinator, secretary, and treasurer. I grew up in Lake Ōkāreka before moving to Wānaka, Auckland and London. I work as a paramedic for St John Ambulance, and I returned to Ōkāreka at the end of 2018. I want to offer our support and station to anyone in the community or any community group for meetings and events.

Phil Muldoon stepped down as chief in February after 20 years in the role but is still actively involved in the brigade. He said it was time for a break but was then deployed to Canada in June for six weeks, working 12-16 hours a day. While Canada experiences fires every summer, this year's wildfires have scorched at least 17.5 million hectares (175,774km2) of land, ten times more than in 2022, for comparison, Te Ika-a-Māui the North Island is 113,729 km2. As of the 20th of September, there were still 906 active wildfires, and 522 of those were deemed "out of control".

New Zealand is moving into its first El Niño summer since 2016, which is forecasted to be one of the strongest in 80 years. Hotter, drier, and stronger westerly winds than usual are expected this spring and summer, increasing the risk of drought and fire. Rural property owners can prepare by clearing gutters and vegetation, improving property access, and ensuring they have a plan of action.

We are looking to recruit new volunteers in both operational and non-operational positions. We have volunteer firefighters who respond to emergencies and non-operational volunteers who look after the station equipment, lawns, and gardens. We need more volunteer firefighters and non-operational volunteers to manage vehicles, equipment, uniforms, and stores. Please contact me if you are interested or have experience in these roles.

Over the past six months, our callouts have been relatively quiet. However, on the 8th of July, a serious motor vehicle crash occurred on Tarawera Road. Four teenagers lost control of their car and crashed head-on into a tree at high speed. Unfortunately, they weren't wearing seatbelts and suffered severe and permanent injuries, which could've been prevented. We cannot stress the importance of wearing seatbelts. Thanks to those in the community who assisted before the emergency services arrived.

Rotorua Civil Defence contacted me to write a community response plan for civil defence emergencies. The plan identifies local hazards that may affect the Lake Ōkāreka community and outlines what the community can do to ensure that individuals, households, and businesses are prepared, can respond and remain self-reliant for at least three days without any outside assistance if an emergency occurs. A few potential hazards in the community include severe weather events, wildfires, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Once the plan is completed, it will be presented to the community by Civil Defence and LOCA at the fire station. LOCA will email out the meeting date and time for those interested.

Feel free to contact me via email at kierin.oppatt@fireandemergency.nz or phone 027 777 5130.

Cheers,

Kierin Oppatt
Chief Fire Officer

]]><![CDATA[Lake Ōkāreka Newsletter - Summer 2022/23]]>Wed, 08 Feb 2023 12:21:31 GMThttps://www.lakeokarekafire.co.nz/loca-articles/lake-okareka-newsletter-summer-2023Like spring, the summer season has been a mixed bag of weather with spells of warm, hot days and also periods of a lot more rain than we would generally like over the holiday season. This pattern also looks to continue into February.

While this hasn’t been the greatest summer for holiday plans, the plus side is that this has kept fire risk levels low. Despite this, the grass verges around Ōkāreka (that unfortunately were not mowed before Christmas and are now very long and drying out) still present a potential fire risk. Please stay vigilant and call in any smoke you observe in the neighbourhood and surrounding areas, and continue to be aware of fire and permit restrictions throughout the fire season.

While the summer months and holiday season are still in progress, please also be aware of increased tourists, traffic, cyclists and pedestrians around the Lake Ōkāreka and Blue Lake areas.

In November last year, five members of the brigade were awarded the Australia National Emergency Medal for services provided during various deployments to the Australian community during the 2019/2020 bushfire season. This is the first time such an award has been made outside Australia, which is a rare and special honour for all those across the country who were recipients. A special acknowledgment and congratulations go to Ray Doyle, Stu Lyall, Hamish Smith and Tony Young who were the recipients from Lake Ōkāreka, along with myself.

Over the last few months, the brigade has had a steady run of callouts which more recently included a car going into the lake at the boat ramp and a fire in the Sulphur Point area in town. The brigade has enjoyed having a fuller complement of members over the last few months. However, with February just around the corner, we will once again see a drop in numbers as several of our members head off to university. If you live locally and haven’t gotten around to joining the brigade, then now is the perfect opportunity to assist with maintaining brigade numbers throughout the year. Full training and PPE are provided. Please drop by the station on a Wednesday evening at 7:30pm or you can also visit our website for more information: http://www.okarekaruralfire.co.nz/.

Finally, after 20 years as Chief of the Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade, I have decided that it is time to step aside and hand the reins over to someone else to take the brigade forward into the next era of the brigade’s long and proud history and place in this special community. It has been a privilege overseeing the brigade’s services and contribution to the local community and wider Rotorua district. We have progressed in so many ways and achieved great things in terms of capability, credibility and resources, numerous national and international fire deployments, and notable achievements such as fundraising for our own fire appliance and tanker, and the building of the new station. However, the main highlights over the years for me have been growing the membership and diversity of the brigade, having so many young members from the community join up and participate not only in the operational activities but also as part of the management committee, and the support of so many people in the community across the years. I will continue to be an active member of the brigade, but I step down as Chief knowing that the brigade is in a great position to move forward into the future.

At the time of writing, the process of appointing a new Chief for the brigade is still in progress. Needless to say, this is my last article for the community newsletter.

Thank you for the support you have offered to myself and the brigade as a whole, and long may this continue for the next Chief and the future generations of the Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Phil Muldoon
Chief Fire Officer]]>