They may have been late once or twice, but over 30 years of service the Lake Okareka Rural Fire Force has never missed a callout.
Chief fire officer Phil Muldoon said that's a pretty unique claim to have, especially for volunteer brigades, and it's something he's pretty proud of.
Even this summer - which has been one of the busiest in years - has seen the brigade turnout a full crew of volunteers to all the jobs, from scrub fires to car crashes.
So the crew are looking forward to getting their glad rags on and celebrating tonight with a firemen's ball at the Lake Okareka Community Hall.
Within the last week the crew have attended three separate incidents which have seen them spend 40 hours on the ground doing volunteer fire work, while all hold down full-time day jobs.
"It's been the busiest summer in years. It's so dry and at any sign of smoke we're getting turned out, and rightly so."
They're also one of the first to turn out to community events, from last night's Lynmore School gala to an open day at Te Amorangi Museum and helping out with dust issues at the recent Australasian pistol shooting competition. Mr Muldoon said the group were lucky that for most callouts they had more volunteers than they needed turn up, from their dedicated group of 14 volunteers.
"The other day for a 2am callout we had seven guys turn up for two seats."
He said they were fortunate to have a steady team of volunteers.
"We have had a few lean times but it's not that difficult to [attract and retain volunteers] if you make it interesting and varied and keep the training up."
Volunteers don't work on rostered shifts - instead it's just up to whoever is available to turn out.
"It's proven itself to work."
The volunteers reckon understanding employers and families are the key to being able to stay in the role.
New recruit Adam McHugh said the rural fire force was a great way to meet people being new to the community while fellow firefighter Blair Gilbert said as well as the excitement of fires and sirens, it was a great way of giving back to the community.
And despite the celebrations tonight, there's no rest for the volunteers. Proving their commitment, they have had enough people to crew the trucks volunteer not to drink so they can be on call if they get a callout.
"We'll be the best dressed firemen there [if there is a callout]," Mr Muldoon said.
Tickets will be available at the door from 7.30pm. They cost $50 for a double or $30 for a single.
By Rebecca Malcolm
Chief fire officer Phil Muldoon said that's a pretty unique claim to have, especially for volunteer brigades, and it's something he's pretty proud of.
Even this summer - which has been one of the busiest in years - has seen the brigade turnout a full crew of volunteers to all the jobs, from scrub fires to car crashes.
So the crew are looking forward to getting their glad rags on and celebrating tonight with a firemen's ball at the Lake Okareka Community Hall.
Within the last week the crew have attended three separate incidents which have seen them spend 40 hours on the ground doing volunteer fire work, while all hold down full-time day jobs.
"It's been the busiest summer in years. It's so dry and at any sign of smoke we're getting turned out, and rightly so."
They're also one of the first to turn out to community events, from last night's Lynmore School gala to an open day at Te Amorangi Museum and helping out with dust issues at the recent Australasian pistol shooting competition. Mr Muldoon said the group were lucky that for most callouts they had more volunteers than they needed turn up, from their dedicated group of 14 volunteers.
"The other day for a 2am callout we had seven guys turn up for two seats."
He said they were fortunate to have a steady team of volunteers.
"We have had a few lean times but it's not that difficult to [attract and retain volunteers] if you make it interesting and varied and keep the training up."
Volunteers don't work on rostered shifts - instead it's just up to whoever is available to turn out.
"It's proven itself to work."
The volunteers reckon understanding employers and families are the key to being able to stay in the role.
New recruit Adam McHugh said the rural fire force was a great way to meet people being new to the community while fellow firefighter Blair Gilbert said as well as the excitement of fires and sirens, it was a great way of giving back to the community.
And despite the celebrations tonight, there's no rest for the volunteers. Proving their commitment, they have had enough people to crew the trucks volunteer not to drink so they can be on call if they get a callout.
"We'll be the best dressed firemen there [if there is a callout]," Mr Muldoon said.
Tickets will be available at the door from 7.30pm. They cost $50 for a double or $30 for a single.
By Rebecca Malcolm
CHEERS: Lake Okareka Rural Fire Force deputy chief Ray Doyle (front) with fellow firefighters (from left) Adam McHugh (in truck), Phil Muldoon, Blair Gilbert and Stu Lyall
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