TARAWERA FIRE UNIT - J Morris Scobie
Although the Tarawera Fire Unit is not actually part of the Ratepayers’ Association, much of the early discussion about forming the unit was among Association members. In 1983, Graham West, a member of the Association’s committee, became organiser for the group seeking to establish a fire unit. The Association indicated its willingness to offer any possible help, including financial assistance. At the Association’s A.G.M. on 7 January 1984, Graham West told the meeting that the Forest Service had supported the new unit and had made a petrol-driven pump and fire hoses available. The Ōkāreka Fire Unit had also provided considerable assistance with advice on setting up the unit, as they had only recently done so for their own area. The Tarawera Unit was sufficiently organised at that stage to stage a demonstration, with a pump operating from the lake and delivering water under pressure to selected targets.
In 1984, a vigorous campaign was launched to secure both funds and personnel to operate the equipment, which included enrolling young women from the community. By September of that year, the treasurer, George McAlonan, was able to report that $3,984 had been raised and negotiations were proceeding with the District Council for the use of a site at Stoney Point. A trailer had been donated by Mr George Wall, and two-way radios by Mr Gwynne Rowe. To boost funds, water tanks were being filled at a charge. A year later, in their 1985 annual report, the Unit was able to announce that the District Council had taken all necessary legal steps to allow them to occupy a site at Stoney Point. Their committee had ordered an Econobarn kitset — a half-round building with a lean-to extension. In 1986, the Unit’s headquarters were constructed with voluntary labour, and additional equipment was acquired. The Association made a further grant of $1,200.
In 1987, the building received a coat of green paint, and equipment was installed in the kitchen. A new pump was added, and a short-based Land Rover was donated by Mr Bob Gunson, while a spring fair raised $1,400. A further step forward came in 1988 with the acquisition from the Forest Service of a “real” fire engine, complete with a variety of accessories, including a critical tank that could supply water while the petrol pump and hoses were being started up and positioned. A further donation from the Association was helpful at this stage, while the Unit hosted a mid-year "Christmas" dinner on 25 June. Gwen Archibald ran another most successful spring fair in November.
Since then, the Unit has continued to train its volunteers, winning annual competitions with both men's and women's teams against Ōkāreka and Rotoiti West, and generally being prepared to meet any emergency that may arise. Special mention should be made of the fine work of Graham West and his successor, Wayne Miller, as well as their most efficient and hardworking secretary, Susan Cutler, and the man who has controlled finance since the inception, George McAlonan.
In 1984, a vigorous campaign was launched to secure both funds and personnel to operate the equipment, which included enrolling young women from the community. By September of that year, the treasurer, George McAlonan, was able to report that $3,984 had been raised and negotiations were proceeding with the District Council for the use of a site at Stoney Point. A trailer had been donated by Mr George Wall, and two-way radios by Mr Gwynne Rowe. To boost funds, water tanks were being filled at a charge. A year later, in their 1985 annual report, the Unit was able to announce that the District Council had taken all necessary legal steps to allow them to occupy a site at Stoney Point. Their committee had ordered an Econobarn kitset — a half-round building with a lean-to extension. In 1986, the Unit’s headquarters were constructed with voluntary labour, and additional equipment was acquired. The Association made a further grant of $1,200.
In 1987, the building received a coat of green paint, and equipment was installed in the kitchen. A new pump was added, and a short-based Land Rover was donated by Mr Bob Gunson, while a spring fair raised $1,400. A further step forward came in 1988 with the acquisition from the Forest Service of a “real” fire engine, complete with a variety of accessories, including a critical tank that could supply water while the petrol pump and hoses were being started up and positioned. A further donation from the Association was helpful at this stage, while the Unit hosted a mid-year "Christmas" dinner on 25 June. Gwen Archibald ran another most successful spring fair in November.
Since then, the Unit has continued to train its volunteers, winning annual competitions with both men's and women's teams against Ōkāreka and Rotoiti West, and generally being prepared to meet any emergency that may arise. Special mention should be made of the fine work of Graham West and his successor, Wayne Miller, as well as their most efficient and hardworking secretary, Susan Cutler, and the man who has controlled finance since the inception, George McAlonan.
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