After a year of intense fundraising and generous sponsorship, Rotorua's three rural volunteer fire forces have added new appliances to their fleets.
Lake Okareka's volunteer fire unit has secured funding for a $370,000.00 fire truck, with the Rotorua District Council and the National Rural Fire Authority each contributing $60,000.
The Lake Tarawera crew has secured a $9000.00 4WD double cab ute and the West Rotoiti volunteer force has acquired a $50,000.00 Stabicraft boat.
Before the vehicles enter service the Rotorua District Council will hold a ceremony today, from 3.30pm in the Energy Events Centre carpark, to bless the new appliances.
Council Kaupapa Maori director Mauriora Kingi will officiate at the ceremony. Mr Kingi said the blessing would help to keep volunteers safe as they go into hazardous environments.
The council's deputy principal rural fire officer Richard Horn said the rural volunteer fire force teams were absolutely rapt to have secured the new equipment.
"These three firefighting assets will not only benefit their individual local communities for years to come, but also the wider Rotorua district.
"Our volunteers already do an awesome job, but they're really excited about the additional capacity they will have with the new appliances.
Mr Horn said the design and manufacture of Lake Okareka's new fire truck is the first of its type in New Zealand.
"This 4WD vehicle gives our Lake Tarawera crew the ability to get equipment into some of the steeper areas. Our volunteers regularly get called out to take care of storm damage and car accidents so this vehicle will be a real asset to the team.
"The new boat will be used for vegetation fires along the lake edges where vehicles can't get access," he said.
Lake Okareka's volunteer fire unit has secured funding for a $370,000.00 fire truck, with the Rotorua District Council and the National Rural Fire Authority each contributing $60,000.
The Lake Tarawera crew has secured a $9000.00 4WD double cab ute and the West Rotoiti volunteer force has acquired a $50,000.00 Stabicraft boat.
Before the vehicles enter service the Rotorua District Council will hold a ceremony today, from 3.30pm in the Energy Events Centre carpark, to bless the new appliances.
Council Kaupapa Maori director Mauriora Kingi will officiate at the ceremony. Mr Kingi said the blessing would help to keep volunteers safe as they go into hazardous environments.
The council's deputy principal rural fire officer Richard Horn said the rural volunteer fire force teams were absolutely rapt to have secured the new equipment.
"These three firefighting assets will not only benefit their individual local communities for years to come, but also the wider Rotorua district.
"Our volunteers already do an awesome job, but they're really excited about the additional capacity they will have with the new appliances.
Mr Horn said the design and manufacture of Lake Okareka's new fire truck is the first of its type in New Zealand.
"This 4WD vehicle gives our Lake Tarawera crew the ability to get equipment into some of the steeper areas. Our volunteers regularly get called out to take care of storm damage and car accidents so this vehicle will be a real asset to the team.
"The new boat will be used for vegetation fires along the lake edges where vehicles can't get access," he said.
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