Hi all,
Looks like we have endured yet another fairly hectic year as far as the Lake Okareka Rural Fire goes. We are now integrated with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and are seeing some improvements in not only training but also the structure and resourcing of the organisation.
After some six months, we have our Lake Okareka fire appliance back at the station following an extensive decontamination process as a result of the Ngongotaha floods, and now painted in FENZ rural fire colours. We also now have some IT capabilities in the station. It’s a pity there’s now less room for our members – we are so looking forward to the new station. In terms of an update on progress with the new station build project, plans are now going through the resource consent process with the Rotorua Lakes Council.
Looks like we have endured yet another fairly hectic year as far as the Lake Okareka Rural Fire goes. We are now integrated with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and are seeing some improvements in not only training but also the structure and resourcing of the organisation.
After some six months, we have our Lake Okareka fire appliance back at the station following an extensive decontamination process as a result of the Ngongotaha floods, and now painted in FENZ rural fire colours. We also now have some IT capabilities in the station. It’s a pity there’s now less room for our members – we are so looking forward to the new station. In terms of an update on progress with the new station build project, plans are now going through the resource consent process with the Rotorua Lakes Council.
The last few weeks have been busy with the Fire Brigade attending a serious motor vehicle accident and two scrub fires in the Taupo District which saw our volunteers doing some long hours and returning to the station at approximately 2.30am on all three occasions. Thanks to those members who attended these incidents and the work done to contain these fires, especially given that this was for three days in a row.
In addition to this, Dave Herries and I were deployed overseas to Canada and the United States respectively. These deployments were long-duration with each lasting nearly six weeks. The changeable conditions were very extreme and volatile, resulting in some erratic fire behaviour. To experience this firsthand was invaluable and something that we need to be aware of.
Extreme conditions: California Mendocino fire approaching our safe zone
In February next year, we are planning to hold a community evening to raise awareness of CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The time, date and place for this are yet to be confirmed.
On another note, we have another team of seven fire fighters from Lake Okareka, ranging from 17 years to a ‘mature-I-can’t-quite-remember’ age, who have registered to compete in the annual Sky Tower Firefighter Stair Climb in May next year. The team will be getting underway with training for this event over the coming months, along with fundraising for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand. If you would to support the Lake Okareka Rural Fire team fundraising effort, please go to the www.firefightersclimb.org.nz website and donate online. We wish the community all the best for the upcoming festive season and look forward to seeing you at the Lake Okareka Christmas Carols and Nativity Show.
Lastly, just a reminder we are now in the Restricted Fire Season and any open fires must 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.
If you have been thinking about joining and would like to see what we are about, please come down to the fire station at 7:30pm on a Wednesday night when we do training or phone me on 3628874. You can also go to our website: www.okarekaruralfire.com.
Phil Muldoon
Chief Fire Officer
On another note, we have another team of seven fire fighters from Lake Okareka, ranging from 17 years to a ‘mature-I-can’t-quite-remember’ age, who have registered to compete in the annual Sky Tower Firefighter Stair Climb in May next year. The team will be getting underway with training for this event over the coming months, along with fundraising for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand. If you would to support the Lake Okareka Rural Fire team fundraising effort, please go to the www.firefightersclimb.org.nz website and donate online. We wish the community all the best for the upcoming festive season and look forward to seeing you at the Lake Okareka Christmas Carols and Nativity Show.
Lastly, just a reminder we are now in the Restricted Fire Season and any open fires must 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.
If you have been thinking about joining and would like to see what we are about, please come down to the fire station at 7:30pm on a Wednesday night when we do training or phone me on 3628874. You can also go to our website: www.okarekaruralfire.com.
Phil Muldoon
Chief Fire Officer
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