Hi all
It is hard to believe we are at the tail-end of 2020 after what has proven to be a challenging and disruptive year. Lake Ōkāreka Rural Fire has largely had to scale back its training activities this year due to the fluctuating COVID-19 levels. However, with the recent move back to Level 1, operational activities have resumed with a record number of members, including a good number of new young recruits who joined at the beginning of the year. Fortunately, their enthusiasm has remained despite the restrictions and we are now getting training back on track heading into the summer fire season.
On that note, please be aware that, as of 1 October, we have moved into the Restricted Fire Season which requires open fires to be permitted. Please be vigilant over the summer months with fire restrictions and permits, and check the conditions and any restrictions in force on the day of your permitted burn. To check the season status for your location, please visit www.checkitsalright.nz or call 0800 658 628. Further information about fire seasons is available on www.fireandemergency.nz.
It is hard to believe we are at the tail-end of 2020 after what has proven to be a challenging and disruptive year. Lake Ōkāreka Rural Fire has largely had to scale back its training activities this year due to the fluctuating COVID-19 levels. However, with the recent move back to Level 1, operational activities have resumed with a record number of members, including a good number of new young recruits who joined at the beginning of the year. Fortunately, their enthusiasm has remained despite the restrictions and we are now getting training back on track heading into the summer fire season.
On that note, please be aware that, as of 1 October, we have moved into the Restricted Fire Season which requires open fires to be permitted. Please be vigilant over the summer months with fire restrictions and permits, and check the conditions and any restrictions in force on the day of your permitted burn. To check the season status for your location, please visit www.checkitsalright.nz or call 0800 658 628. Further information about fire seasons is available on www.fireandemergency.nz.
New station with exterior finished. | Interior of appliance bay |
With the upcoming fire season, readiness of fire personnel for potential fire deployments is paramount. Chris Scoggins and myself delivered training in the use of Avenza GPS mapping to 40+ fire personnel from around the country in Eltham. Dave Herries, as part of the National Incident Management Team, also helped to co-ordinate a recent regional simulated training exercise. International deployments did not go ahead over the winter in response to the extreme fires in the United States. This was due to challenges with the management of personnel safety and quarantine requirements because of the COVID-19 situation overseas.
Recent scrub fire SH30. Photo Credit: Dave Herries
The annual Sky Tower Firefighter Stair Climb, which was due to take place in May, has been rescheduled to now take place on 21 November. Unfortunately, due to this revised timing, the majority of our participants are unable to take part. However, all money raised to date will still be donated to Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand. Hopefully, the 2021 event will run more smoothly.
Work on the new fire station has progressed significantly with completion of the building and hand over to the brigade due to take place mid-December. An Open Day for the community is being planned for 30 January and the official opening ceremony will take place mid-March. Communications regarding the Open Day will be sent out closer to the time. If there are any community groups who are interested in using the new station building for a meeting venue, please contact me on 021 890 508.
In the meantime, we wish the families within the Lake Ōkāreka and wider Rotorua community all the best for the upcoming festive season.
If you have been thinking about joining and would like to see what we are about, please phone me on 362 8874. You can also go to our website: www.okarekaruralfire.co.nz.
Phil Muldoon
Chief Fire Officer
Work on the new fire station has progressed significantly with completion of the building and hand over to the brigade due to take place mid-December. An Open Day for the community is being planned for 30 January and the official opening ceremony will take place mid-March. Communications regarding the Open Day will be sent out closer to the time. If there are any community groups who are interested in using the new station building for a meeting venue, please contact me on 021 890 508.
In the meantime, we wish the families within the Lake Ōkāreka and wider Rotorua community all the best for the upcoming festive season.
If you have been thinking about joining and would like to see what we are about, please phone me on 362 8874. You can also go to our website: www.okarekaruralfire.co.nz.
Phil Muldoon
Chief Fire Officer
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