Well, it seems like we’ve seen the last of winter with the days getting longer and warmer. The winter months were not too hectic for the brigade with only a few minor incidents, the most remarkable being an apparent self-combusting road cone.
One of the more serious events happened approximately four weeks ago when I turned the brigade out to an incident involving a large oil spill on the road. The streets affected were Branch Road, Summit Road, Loop Road and Steep Street – basically, most of Okareka and yet no one seemed to notice or realise the gravity of the situation. Time was of the essence that day, with conditions deteriorating as drizzly showers turned to heavy rain later that day.
Fortunately, we prevented most of the oil from entering the stormwater system and, with the involvement of Environment Bay of Plenty, an oil boom was placed across the stream at the bottom of Summit Road. The remaining oil was then contained before it entered the lake. If there had been further delay in this action being taken or had the weather conditions deteriorated sooner, a major pollution of the lake would have occurred!
On a lighter note, thank you to those in the community who supported the brigade through the Lake Okareka Winter Fishing Competition, and a huge thank you to those who sponsored the event, namely:
Thanks also to Eben Herbert and Jeremy Cox for running the weigh-ins and recording details of all the fish caught.
Some statistics for interest:
Keep an eye out for details regarding our summer competition which will be held mid-February.
We have a working bee planned for Saturday, 17 September, at the fire station. If you feel like coming along and giving us a hand, all are welcome.
Take care over summer and remember those fire permits, as we have been warned already that we’re going to be in for a hot, dry summer.
For further information on the brigade or any other enquiries, please don’t hesitate to call me (Phone 362 8874).
Phil Muldoon
Chief Fire Officer
One of the more serious events happened approximately four weeks ago when I turned the brigade out to an incident involving a large oil spill on the road. The streets affected were Branch Road, Summit Road, Loop Road and Steep Street – basically, most of Okareka and yet no one seemed to notice or realise the gravity of the situation. Time was of the essence that day, with conditions deteriorating as drizzly showers turned to heavy rain later that day.
Fortunately, we prevented most of the oil from entering the stormwater system and, with the involvement of Environment Bay of Plenty, an oil boom was placed across the stream at the bottom of Summit Road. The remaining oil was then contained before it entered the lake. If there had been further delay in this action being taken or had the weather conditions deteriorated sooner, a major pollution of the lake would have occurred!
On a lighter note, thank you to those in the community who supported the brigade through the Lake Okareka Winter Fishing Competition, and a huge thank you to those who sponsored the event, namely:
- O’Keefes Fishing Specialists – Mike and Erin Cotter
- Millennium Architecture – Jason Douglas
- Telfer Marine – Sean Bowyer
- Te Ngae Pharmacy – Manawa Cox
- Tritan Plant – Dean Foster
- Trout Connection – Glen Skinner
Thanks also to Eben Herbert and Jeremy Cox for running the weigh-ins and recording details of all the fish caught.
Some statistics for interest:
- 75 fish were caught – up from 2004 (65)
- the heaviest fish was 1.7kg – down from 2004 (1.97kg)
- the best condition factor was 50.2 – up from 2004 (47)
Keep an eye out for details regarding our summer competition which will be held mid-February.
We have a working bee planned for Saturday, 17 September, at the fire station. If you feel like coming along and giving us a hand, all are welcome.
Take care over summer and remember those fire permits, as we have been warned already that we’re going to be in for a hot, dry summer.
For further information on the brigade or any other enquiries, please don’t hesitate to call me (Phone 362 8874).
Phil Muldoon
Chief Fire Officer
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