It's not too late in the year to mention electric blankets and the fact that it is unwise to leave them switched on when you go out. No matter how often you have them tested, all things fail eventually. There was a near disaster in Loop Road recently.
Every now and again it is appropriate to address this column to those people who are new to the area in order that they may better understand the set-up of the fire-party. Ignoring the political taint of the phrase, it is "run by the people, for the people", in other words, neighbours helping neighbours to look after each others' safety and property. We are 15.6 kilometers from the Rotorua fire station, remember.
An organising committee is elected each year to keep things in working order but we cannot fight fires alone, nor can we be in Okareka at all times. Everyone has a part to play; practice and familiarisation sessions are held at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings at the fire station, (except for the first Wednesday of each month when the committee meets elsewhere). Everyone is welcome to look or join in.
More than anything else we are at risk from a lack of competent people. A fire is not the time for a training session. At any time during the day there are at least 150 people in the area. The pairs of hands are available but operating a pump is not the same as turning on a tap or starting a lawn mower.
There is a great satisfaction to be obtained from knowing that you can play an effective part when needed. Quite simply, the choice is between a bucket and spade approach or putting in an hour or two to learn a better method.
Reticulated water is not too far away now and the culmination of seven years forward planning was realised with a recent purchase of a Toyota Landcruiser Fire Truck which has the ability to operate from both hydrants and lakeside. There is no such thing as an all purpose/all circumstances vehicle. For our area manoeuvrability is paramount. In the past, and even now, rural fire services have relied on redundant N.Z.F.S. or Forestry trucks – all they could afford. It is virtually impossible to find a purpose built appliance in the smaller range and we were very lucky to hear of one in Nelson. This type is widley used in the crowded narrow streets of suburban Japan.
So many people have given us their time and assistance this year there are dangers in singling out just one or two. However, special thanks must be given to the Bannister and Somervell families for their help at the "Fireman's Ball", to "Kawakawa Garage" for keeping us mobile and "Blazing Firewood" for helping with the raffle.
Every now and again it is appropriate to address this column to those people who are new to the area in order that they may better understand the set-up of the fire-party. Ignoring the political taint of the phrase, it is "run by the people, for the people", in other words, neighbours helping neighbours to look after each others' safety and property. We are 15.6 kilometers from the Rotorua fire station, remember.
An organising committee is elected each year to keep things in working order but we cannot fight fires alone, nor can we be in Okareka at all times. Everyone has a part to play; practice and familiarisation sessions are held at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings at the fire station, (except for the first Wednesday of each month when the committee meets elsewhere). Everyone is welcome to look or join in.
More than anything else we are at risk from a lack of competent people. A fire is not the time for a training session. At any time during the day there are at least 150 people in the area. The pairs of hands are available but operating a pump is not the same as turning on a tap or starting a lawn mower.
There is a great satisfaction to be obtained from knowing that you can play an effective part when needed. Quite simply, the choice is between a bucket and spade approach or putting in an hour or two to learn a better method.
Reticulated water is not too far away now and the culmination of seven years forward planning was realised with a recent purchase of a Toyota Landcruiser Fire Truck which has the ability to operate from both hydrants and lakeside. There is no such thing as an all purpose/all circumstances vehicle. For our area manoeuvrability is paramount. In the past, and even now, rural fire services have relied on redundant N.Z.F.S. or Forestry trucks – all they could afford. It is virtually impossible to find a purpose built appliance in the smaller range and we were very lucky to hear of one in Nelson. This type is widley used in the crowded narrow streets of suburban Japan.
So many people have given us their time and assistance this year there are dangers in singling out just one or two. However, special thanks must be given to the Bannister and Somervell families for their help at the "Fireman's Ball", to "Kawakawa Garage" for keeping us mobile and "Blazing Firewood" for helping with the raffle.
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