The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine

February 2008
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
ISSUE
37

February 2008
Issue No. 37
Fire & Rescue is the flagship
publication of the New Zealand
Fire Service.
It is produced by Media,
Promotions and Communications,
National Headquarters,
Level 9, 80 The Terrace, Wellington.
Front Cover: Kinleith Pulp & Paper Mill
resembles a warzone as firefighters
combat the inferno.
Back Cover: Patea Freezing Works
resemble Kinleith and can be seen from
miles away.
We welcome contributions from
Fire Service personnel and their families.
Email stories and digital pictures to:
fire.rescue@fire.org.nz
(Pictures need to be at least 1MB)
Post written material and celluloid
photos, or photo CDs to:
Fire & Rescue magazine,
PO Box 2133, Wellington.
(These will be returned on request)
If you have a story idea or an upcoming
event you would like Fire & Rescue to
cover, call the editor on (04) 496 3675.
Fire & Rescue is online at:
www.fire.org.nz
ISSN: 1176-6670
All material in Fire & Rescue magazine is
copyrighted and may not be reproduced
without the permission of the editor.
4
9 12
Fire Eduction Out of the frying pan ........................................................................3
Sun Smart When the heat is on..........................................................................4
IT Better information access for all .................................................5
Fleet Flying high in Gisborne ......................................................................6
Fire Films Where’s the smoke? ...........................................................................7
Awards Brotherly love .........................................................................................8
15
Kudos for Te Kopuru ...........................................................................9
Other News Coming through loud and clear ................................................10
Conference UFBA get together ...........................................................................11
Training ... Even though I’m Blue .................................................................12
Incidents Timber inferno ....................................................................................14
Marlborough burns ..........................................................................15
Power to the people ........................................................................15
Poi E no more .....................................................................................16
Industry troubles ................................................................................17
Training for fire ...................................................................................18
Great bales of fire ............................................................................18
Survival of the fittest .......................................................................19
In the Community Adam’s ride with Red Watch .....................................................20
Fun & Games Fun razor................................................................................................21
Rich in rewards ...................................................................................21
Fun for all ..............................................................................................22
Hoop dreams ......................................................................................22
Service A kauri among Northlanders .....................................................23
19
22

By FSO Nella Booth
Out of the frying pan
GPK is a popular restaurant
situated in the centre of
Takapuna’s thriving bar
and café scene. So when
they experienced a kitchen
fire recently, the impact
was keenly felt by the
local industry. We knew
this would be a great
opportunity to show
restaurant owners and
kitchen staff the dramatic
consequences of a kitchen
fire – not just in damage
but in lost turnover.
With this in mind, we
sought the permission of
the owner and the insurance
company.
Later that week, Grant
Mitcheson from Birkenhead
Blue Watch and his crew
went door to door to all the
local restaurants, handing
out invitations to an ‘Open
Restaurant.’ The event was
due to start at 1500. But well before
this, there was a number of staff
from other restaurants waiting at the
front door. Throughout the afternoon,
a steady stream of interested and
concerned kitchen staff and managers
filed through.
Many asked if they could send others
along the next day as a different
group of staff would then be at work.
It was arranged to repeat the event
the next afternoon at the same time.
The ‘open restaurant’ messages
included what led up to the fire and
how it developed so rapidly. We then
explained how the fire could have
been avoided in the first place and
also gave tips on good housekeeping
to make their workplace safer.
GPK Owner Dominique Parat
who opened up his fire damaged
restaurant as an educational tool.
This fire started in a flaming pan
which was put onto a rack close to the
extractor fan so smoke didn’t fill the
kitchen. Unfortunately, the flames
from the pan were sucked into the
extractor hood through the oily filters.
The flames then engulfed the whole
extractor ducting running through the
kitchen and past the toilet doors
before exiting through the roof. When
the fans stopped, the fire billowed
back down into the kitchen. The
restaurant was full of diners and the
fire spread was extremely quick.
Fortunately so was the response –
reports have it at three minutes from
frying pan to Fire Service arrival.
Over the two days all 19 restaurants
approached sent people to see the
damage. With a total of 68 attendees,
Fire Education
A fire in Takapuna prompted Auckland Region’s Promotions and Education Department
to hold an Open Home with a twist – in a restaurant!
we felt that it was well worthwhile
and it will prevent more of the same
type of fires occurring. The local press
ran a story highlighting the damage
and how the Promotions and
Education Department made it into a
learning event.
Senior Fire Safety Officer Mike
McEnaney said it was “really pleasing
to see so many restaurant staff turn
out. It clearly shows a willingness to
avoid a repeat performance.”
As far as we are aware, nothing
like this has been attempted before
in Auckland in commercial premises
but the value of the exercise
means we will be looking at other
similar opportunities throughout
the Region.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine February 2008 3
Photo courtesy North Shore Times 3

By Phil De Joux
When the heat is on
Keeping safe under the sun’s rays is imperative and one brigade is leading the charge.
Twizel Fire Brigade is a Sun Smart brigade. The Twizel
area has one of the highest sunshine hours in the country
and summer temperatures are regularly in the 30s.
In areas like this, the UV rating can be extreme and
protection from the sun’s rays is imperative.
As part of the brigade’s sun smart strategies, members
are required to wear their Fire Service sun hats whenever
they are working outside except when level 2 gear is
required. They are also encouraged to use an effective
sun screen (SPF 30+) on bare skin at these times. Safety
sunglasses are also an important part of the strategy and
these have been issued to brigade members.
4 Issue No. 37
Sun Smart
Twizel Fire fighters Russell Warwood,
Evan Lousley, Andrew McCambridge, and
Daniel Connolly with their sun-smart tools.
Recently the brigade was working at a large scrub fire on
Mt Cook Station for several days. CFO John Hill reported
that nearly 1.5 litres of sunscreen was used over that
period and more supplies were rapidly requested.
VSO Phil de Joux says that if we can prevent one brigade
member from developing skin cancer later in life, then the
exercise will have been worth it. All brigades in Transalpine
Fire Region have been issued with tubes of SPF 30+
sunscreen and members are also encouraged to consult
their local doctor over any unusual freckle, mole, sunspot
or unhealing sore on their skin.
Twizel Fire fighters Russell Warwood, Evan
Lousley, Andrew McCambridge, and Daniel
Connolly with their sun-smart tools.

The first noticeable change will be a new search tool on
our existing Firenet website which will be delivered in
March 2008. This new search functionality will be
more intuitive, it will be similar to Google’s search engine
and provide you with results that show your search
strings in context.
Debby Murphy said that this will be followed by a review
of the content and layout of both sites. The review of
Firenet will require those involved in maintaining content
in the regions to help identify how it can be improved.
There will be some significant changes to Firenet and our
external website over the next year thanks to the introduction
of a new tool, MOSS (Microsoft Office Sharepoint Server)
and the employment of Debby Murphy, the Fire Service’s
new Info and Content developer.
Not only will MOSS improve our Content Management
capability for the web, it will also allow us to address a
number of business needs over time including:
≥ Public Records Act compliance
≥ Enterprise Search
≥ easy access to building related information
≥ a common store for things like Operational Readiness
Audits, Operational Reviews, Serious and Unusual
Incident Reviews, and Fire Investigations,
≥ improved tools for collaboration internally as well as
with other organisations.
Keep an eye on Firenet where we will k eep you posted as the changes are introduced.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
Info and
Content
Developer,
Debby
Murphy.
IT
February 2008
5

Flying high
in Gisborne
Training and testing permitting, Gisborne’s first aerial
appliance should be on the road in April.
SFF George Clarke checks out
the new appliance.
By Kerry Marshall
DCFO John Haggland said the new Bronto appliance would provide the
capability to deal with incidents in hi-rise buildings in the Gisborne CBD.
Currently the closest aerial appliance is in Napier and would take several
hours to arrive if required.
The Bronto is the latest model and
crews would go through intensive
training while the appliance was
kitted out. Drivers will have plenty
of road time getting used to the
larger and longer unit. The new
Gisborne station however is ready
to go as it was designed with
new appliances like this in mind –
big doors, plenty of space and a
large apron.
Very soon Gisborne residents will
be used to the sight of the new
Gisborne 814 appliance responding
to emergencies.
6 Issue No. 37
Fleet

Where’s the smoke?
There are a plethora of films out there to do with
firefighters and fire in general. Periodically we will be
watching these films and reviewing them. Both from
a theatrical position but also from a plausibility
point of view – do the actors portraying firefighters
give off a realistic air? Is the fire done properly?
If you know of any good fire films, please email
them to us on fire.rescue@fire.org.nz.
This month’s film will be the first film anyone thinks of
when asked to name a firefighter film, Backdraft.
Made in 1991 and starring Kurt Russel, William Baldwin
and Robert De Niro, Backdraft tells the story of two
brothers – Stephen and Brian McCaffrey who lost their
father in a fire in the 1970s. Following in their father’s
footsteps the two grow up to be firefighters at the same
station, but here’s the kicker, they’re rivals! They don’t
get on, at all.
The two are forced to lay their differences aside when a
serial arsonist strikes Chicago, he’s already killed three
people, maimed a firefighter and personally attacked
Brian. Can the brothers put aside their differences to
save the day?
On to the review:
The attention to realism is…non-existent. Firstly, Stephen
McCaffrey enters every single fire without a BA, his coat
is open, and he goes skipping into the heart of the fire –
often by himself – regularly. They break open doors by
standing in front of them and they don’t check to see
if they’re hot. Perhaps most amusingly, all fires have
a definite lack of smoke. Understandably this was done
to ensure we could see the actors, though it does
look ridiculous.
The acting itself is good by the leads, William Baldwin
and Kurt Russell put in good performances as the rival
brothers and there seemed to be some genuine animosity
between the two. Robert De Niro was hardly used and
his character seemed a bit mysterious for mysterious’ sake
whilst no-one else really played a major role to be
considered – though special mention must go to Jennifer
Jason-Leigh whose performance as William Baldwin’s
love interest is hopelessly bad.
In terms of a plot it’s pretty sharp. As mentioned above
the brothers fight fires and an arsonist and fight each
other. Novel! It doesn’t get boring and at a tick over two
hours the length is substantial without being onerous.
From a film point of view, 3.5 out of 5, from a realism
point of view 1 out of 5 giving it an average score of
2 ¼ out of 5.
Fire Films
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine February 2008
7

Brotherly Love
SO Doug Flowerday hands Che his
certificate with a proud Dakota nearby,
supported by (l-r) SFF Barry Baxter,
SFF Glenn Hudson and SFF Ian Clark.
He’s lucky that Che paid a visit to the Masterton Fire
Station early last year and he’s lucky that Che paid
attention. For Dakota is an adventurous, inquisitive little
tyke and has a tendency to go investigating.
Two year old Dakota, accompanied by his blanket,
clambered to the top of the stove and started turning
knobs. Wearing pyjamas that were fire retardant but not
fire proof Dakota’s pyjamas soon ignited.
Che, who is seven years old, remembered the Firewise
lessons he’d received on his visit to the Masterton Fire
Station, grabbed Che and rolled him over to put the fire out.
DCFO Henry Stechman told the Wairarapa Times that
had the clothing not been fire retardant it could’ve
8 Issue No. 37
Awards
Dakota Marunui is a lucky boy.
He’s lucky that he’s got a brother like Che.
completely burst into flames. He commended the
older brother’s ability to take the right course of action
under pressure.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that the young fellow had
the knowledge to put into practice what he had learnt,”
says Mr Stechman.
Station officer Doug Flowerday said it was good to see
the Firewise message getting through and Che might make
a good fireman one day. It’s heartening to see that the
stop, drop and roll message is still used.
Dakota’s mother says Dakota has learned his lesson now
and despite still showing a tendency to climb things,
he’s steering well clear of the oven.
Picture courtesy of Wairarapa Times

Kudos for Te Kopuru
National Commander
Mike Hall visited Te Kopuru
recently to personally
present the brigade with
an Award of Commendation
for their efforts during
Northland’s devastating
floods last year.
Northland brigades were out in
force while floods in March and
July wreaked havoc in the region.
The award acknowledged Te Kopuru
brigade’s achievements, particularly
those of Barbara Searle, Kevin
Morgan, Liz Wood and Patrick
McDavitt, who worked a 24 hour
duty and used a 4WD and an
inflatable boat to rescue people from
homes and stranded cars in the
Hikurangi, Hukerenui, Kawakawa
and Waikare Inlet areas.
In presenting the award, Mike said it
was the least he could do as National
Commander to get out and thank the
volunteers as often as his schedule
permitted.
Farmer Jan Beatty looks to rescue two
stranded cows on her swamped farm
in Tangiteroria in Northland, July 2007.
Awards
Pictured, from left: National Commander
Mike Hall, FF Barbara Searle, FF Kevin Morgan,
FF Patrick McDavitt, FF John Plaisted (Fire Brigade
rep on the Coastguard), CFO Leon Searle
and FF Liz Wood.
He said the more he travels into
country areas, the more he realises
the NZFS is no longer a fire service,
but a general fire and rescue
emergency service.
“When the chips are down and
there’s no-one else to do it, you’re
out there!”
Mike also acknowledged the
community’s support of its brigade.
“Volunteer Fire Brigades are pivotal
to their communities. This country
just couldn’t function without its
volunteer firefighters, and there is
no clearer example of that than
this brigade.”
CFO Leon Searle accepted the plaque
on behalf of Te Kopuru brigade, and
told his firefighters that their
teamwork has made his job as Chief
so much easier.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine February 2008
9

Coming
through loud
and clear
On January 29, the Northern
Comcen’s modernisation
project was completed and
a Whakatau* was held to
celebrate.
The day marked the end of a
substantial project that saw some
significant changes happen inside the
Communications Centre. Deputy
Commissioner Rob Pope from the
Police and National Commander
Mike Hall from the Fire Service were
both in attendance as the refurbished
centre was welcomed and blessed.
10 Issue No. 37
Other News
New furniture, new fittings with
modern electric desks that allow
communicators to be standing up or
sitting down at their work stations, a
new breakout room for staff to get
some R&R in; the refit had it all.
The new work stations formed
‘pods’ – which lend themselves to a
far better working environment.
Driven from a recent Communication
Centre review carried out by Police,
requiring more seats to be
accommodated into the centre, the
new communicator pods and
refurbishment has allowed Police to
increase their number of seats in the
centre by 17 and Fire Service to
increase theirs by one.
Left, Police Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope
and National Commander Mike Hall inspect
the new changes at the Northern Comcen.
The project was managed by the
Police with total consultation with
communication centre manager
Peter Stevenson who was part of the
project committee.
Director of Strategic Development,
Ian Pickard was really proud of the
staff in the comcen. “The project
was carried out while we maintained
full operational duties, project
engineers worked really hard to
restrict noise and disturbance but as
it was a complete refit, allowances
had to be made. My hearty thanks
go to the duty staff for their
understanding and cooperation”.
* A Whakatau is a less formal Powhiri –
which is an official welcoming

UFBA get together
In the middle of March the Richmond VFB will host the annual UFBA Conference
and associated Challenges.
The 129th annual UFBA Conference
will run from 16–18 March. It will
be held at the Trafalgar Centre in
Nelson and will see senior volunteer
officers from all over the country
convene in one place to be brought
up to date on a variety of Fire Service
related topics.
The week proceeding the conference
is also packed with activity.
On the 14th and 15th of March,
the A&P Showgrounds in Richmond
will host the National Road Crash
Rescue Challenge. 13 teams from
all over New Zealand will compete
in three categories to safely and
expediently extricate live victims
from crushed cars. The teams
qualified by competing at Regional
RCR Challenges held late last year
and winners from the National event
will qualify to represent New Zealand
at the Australasian Road Crash
Rescue Challenge in Australia later
in the year.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
On the 15th, the National Firefighter
Combat Challenge will also be held
at the A&P Showgrounds in
Richmond. This exciting event,
known as the “toughest two minutes
in sport” will have over 150 people
competing in several different
Firefighters getting into the Australasian Road
Crash Rescue Challenge in Perth last year.
Conference
Two firefighters taking part in the recent
Christchurch Combat Challenge.
categories including an open male
and female section, over 40’s, over
50’s and also two team categories.
Top qualifiers from this event have
the opportunity to be selected to
travel to Las Vegas later in the
year to represent New Zealand at
the World Firefighter Combat
Challenge.
The last major event being held
in Richmond, but certainly not
the least, is the hugely popular
Staying Alive Expo. A schools’
programme has been organised
for the 13th and 15th of March
with over 2,500 school children
already booked in to participate.
The event will be open to the
public on the 15th with a crowd
of well over 10,000 expected.
April’s Fire & Rescue magazine
will have all the results from the
National events being held in
Richmond, Nelson.
February 2008
11

...Even
though
I’m Blue
Recently, Papatoetoe Brown Watch’s Ange Munro, Ian Tanner and Rochelle Martin took part
12 Issue No. 37
Training
Blue’s captain Troy
Flavell gets to grip
with a branch.
Ange Munro issues
some firm orders
to members of the
Blues training squad.
Given her record of achievement over the last 12 months,
Ange was ideally placed to put the team through its paces.
Ange picks up the story…
The day started with a trip to Mt Wellington to pick
up loads of gear: two appliances, a 30 x 70mm hose, a
10 x 45mm hose, stoke baskets, bucket lines and a few
odds and ends. We then headed off to Unitech where the
Blues have their training grounds and facilities.
The Blues squad was divided into three teams of
7-9 guys. First they did a warm up activity, I got them
carrying a stokes basket with a team member in it
around a set course. This course involved running up
hills, crossing a stream, running up and down stairs and
a lot of running around grass areas. Four team members
had to wear BA sets.
Next was the Combat Course. We had set up three courses
so the teams could race against each other one at a time.
The Combat Course I set up for them had them running
up a 15m hill with a 15kg riser hose over their
shoulder, hauling up a 20kg foam drum from the bottom,
racing down the hill and on to a force machine, moving a
sleeper 1m with a 5kg sledgehammer, running 20m to a
charged delivery, running out the delivery, shooting at a
target 10m away and finishing with a 30m dummy drag.

The dummy weighed 90kg. Also this was all done while
the guys wore BA sets – with the good old steel cylinders
of course!
Last of all the teams did a water relay. They had to
establish a delivery of 8 lengths and then shoot a target
as quickly as possible.
The Combat course really shocked a few. Even though
they are really fit sportsmen, the extra weight on their
back and the labour intensive type activities like the
sledgehammer hitting, really took its toll on some.
The Combat Course is a different type of fitness and
many players learned that.
There was a lot of good-natured ribbing between
players, and some funny moments when the guys missed
the target with the hose or lost control of the hose
because of the jet reaction! Even coaches David Nucifora
and Greg Cooper had a go.
The Blues players were really into the whole day
going hard out and cheering each other on! It was just
awesome to watch. They were also very friendly and very
polite, Kevin Mealamu and Justin Collins fast became
my favourites!
Ian and Rochelle were such a huge help, making it a really
great day. C’mon the Blues!
in a very special training day. Not for new recruits but for the 2008 Auckland Blues squad.
The whole squad plus Ange,
Ian and Rochelle.
Training
Prop Nick White gets reeling.
Jo Bradford, a lifeguard, tries the
physical pre-entry test demo
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine February 2008
13

14 Issue No. 37
Incidents
Timber
inferno
In a portent of what was to come for NZ industry over
the coming weeks, a timber factory in Blenheim was
severely damaged in a serious fire.
On January 14, Flight Timbers in Blenheim went up in a blaze that required the
attention of 30 firefighters, seven appliances and four tankers. Despite such a big
response the fire continued to rage for a number of hours – meaning firefighters
were still dampening down hotspots throughout the next day.
Flight Timbers is one of the major saw mills in the Marlborough district and the
losses caused by the fire will run into millions of dollars, says Flight Timbers
chairman Rick Osborne. The damage would cut the plant’s turnover by 25 per cent,
but fortunately, the company intend keeping all its 80 staff, he said.
The fire was the biggest the region’s firefighters have had to battle since a
blaze destroyed a cheese factory at Tua Marina in 2004, said Blenheim
Volunteer Fire Brigade station officer Paul Fuller.
It’s understood the fire was caused when a wood chip
got stuck in hot equipment. From there
it all went up in flames.

Marlborough burns
The fire season started good
and proper over the summer
break for the South Island as
this image shows.
In the deep-south, near a small township
called Clinton, a truck toppled over into
a ditch – in the process it came mighty
close to some overhead power lines.
The power-lines were live with
33,000 volts coursing through the
top line and 11,000 the bottom.
Kevin Jopson from Meridian Energy
called the Fire Service after he grew
concerned about the little pole just
behind the fallen truck.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
A loud crack as lightning rocketed
into a pine forest in Marlborough
was enough to set this particular
blaze off and destroy 27ha of land
near Koromiko. Emergency Services
Manager for the Marlborough
District, Ross Hamilton, said it had
been very difficult to battle. “It’s not
easy country to get on; it’s a steep
bloody hill, so it’s all pumps and
small hoses and stuff like that.”
“My main concern was that someone
could have walked into the lines
while checking the truck. And if one
of the insulators on the 11kV line
broke, the line would have come into
contact with the live 33kV line and
the sparks could easily have started
Incidents
Resident Les Russell was evacuated
from his home as the flames got to
within 50m of his house. He told the
media “It was a bit stressful as the
fire came up close behind the house
but the fire guys are doing a great job
– they saved our house”.
The forest was on a mix of private
land and Marlborough Forest owned
by the Marlborough and Kaikoura
district councils.
a fire in the dry grass with no readily
available water source.”
Displaying fine fight or flight skills,
the driver escaped unharmed sliding
out the passenger door to get out.
February 2008
15

Poi E no more...
It was opened in 1883 and provided employment for over 1,000 people in peak season.
But when it shut down 100 years later, the Patea Freezing Works soon became known as
a health hazard, an eyesore and blamed by Patea residents for being partly responsible
for the decline in their property values.
Riddled with asbestos cladding and
insulation, chemicals, heavy metals,
boiler ash dumps and rusting fuel
storage tanks, it’s no surprise that
when it caught fire on February 5,
an environmental hazard was
unleashed.
The fire, which is now suspected as
arson, quickly took hold and when
firefighters first arrived they found
two large buildings and an area of
scrub already well alight.
Constable Kerry Daly, of the Patea
Police, said it was believed a number
of fires were lit around the derelict
building and fire investigators would
examine the scene.
16 Issue No. 37
Incidents
It wasn’t just the fire that was causing
headaches for those on scene either.
When the asbestos laden smoke
started drifting towards an area
populated by 300 residents (25% of
the township), they were evacuated
from their houses and it wasn’t until
February 11 that they were allowed
to return.
Fire crews from around the region
spent the weekend after Waitangi
Day washing down Patea homes.
AFRC Pat Fitzell said the washing
went ahead, despite dust in the town
being cleared of asbestos. “It’s just
really peace of mind for the residents
We were looking at the closest houses,
but we thought it was best to do the
whole town.”
While fire crews finished dampening
down hotspots, water was still being
sprayed on the site from irrigation
hose to keep the area damp
The Patea Freezing Works will be
best remembered, however, as the
inspiration behind Dalvanius Prime’s
song Poi E. Performed by the Patea
Ma - ori Club, the song reached
number 1 in the New Zealand charts
where it stayed for four weeks and
created an international sensation.
Photo courtesy of the Taranaki Daily News

Industry troubles
It’s been the grand old lady of Tokoroa’s skyline
since 1953. It’s the area’s biggest employer
with some 450 employees and 280 additional
subcontractors, and it was named after a river
that flows through Edinburgh, Scotland. It’s the
Kinleith Pulp and Paper mill, and on February 5
it became the biggest fire New Zealand has
seen in a number of years.
On the afternoon of the 5 th , 19 appliances from
Hamilton, Rotorua and Taupo all made a bee-line for
Tokoroa to help fight what was fast becoming a
serious inferno. Add to that a helicopter with a monsoon
bucket and around 80 firefighters and you realise the
seriousness of the blaze. How many sixth alarms have
there been lately?
A Kinleith worker said the fire was in off-cuts from rolls
of paper produced by the mill destined for recycling.
Because of water shortages, firefighters took water from
nearby ponds. Tinder-dry conditions and strong winds
made matters worse.
Tokoroa CFO Ian Wellings said his team arrived shortly
after the Kinleith Fire Service and that it was every man
to post when they arrived onsite. “It was pretty daunting
with all that paper fully enveloped by fire and we knew it
was going to be a long job.”
Incidents
Rotorua’s Type Four helps
put out the hotspots.
The huge stacks of paper provided
plenty of fuel for the inferno.
Jaron Phillips from the Northern Comcen said the fire
caused two injuries. “A member of the public was taken
to hospital suffering burns to their neck, and a firefighter
was transported to hospital suffering from dehydration
and smoke inhalation.” Both men were taken to hospital
and have since been released.
At the time of print, Taupo DCFO Des Irving said it
would not be known what started the fire at the Carter
Holt Harvey owned mill. “We don’t know the actual
cause but we can say at this stage that it does not
look suspicious.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine February 2008
17

More than 50 building
industry trainees were left
looking for a new place of
work after a fire razed the
G & H Training base in Napier
on January 22 this year.
Training for fire
1500 square metres of buildings
were brought to the ground by
the third alarm fire in Onekawa.
11 appliances were called out with
Napier, Hastings and Bay View
stations supplying manpower.
DCFO Collin Littlewood, who
could see the fire in the sky as he
was summoned from his home at
Te Awanga, said it took more than
an hour to get the flames under
control. He said that at its peak there
were 40 firefighters battling the blaze.
“There was quite a large plume of
smoke and flame, and firefighters
were hampered by the gas cylinders
inside the buildings.”
Great bales of fire
Firefighters in Invercargill
were called to the fire on
the back of a truck on
January 9.
The fire is believed to have started
from a spark in the exhaust pipe,
although the plank of wood resting
on the red-hot exhaust pipe and
touching the hay bales wouldn’t
have been helpful.
The owner of the truck, Mr Brian
Neas – a contractor – said the hay
bales had a value $4500. “I had an
invoice sitting written out in the
truck.” All 650 bales and the truck
were destroyed though Mr Neas
was insured.
18 Issue No. 37
Incidents
Photo courtesy of Southland Times
Facing several explosions as gas
cylinders erupted in the blaze, he said
the fulltime and volunteer firefighters
did a great job stopping the fire from
spreading to other sites in the
industrial district.
G & H Training Operations Manager
Steve Smithers, who arrived as the
roof was collapsing, said that as well
as all of the machinery and electronic
equipment lost in the fire, trainees
would have lost some property,
including tools.
Thanks to a positive effort from
several Hawke’s Bay businesses, a
new location has been found and
renovation has begun meaning that
all students will be welcomed back a
mere two weeks after the fire.

What you are looking at is a smoke alarm melted beyond recognition
but still able to chirp. It was taken from a serious house fire in Ascot Park, Porirua
(just north of Wellington) on 17 December. The fire was attended by six appliances.
Survival of the fittest
Porirua District SSO Trevor Sheehan said that firefighters
combing through the charred debris of the Porirua house
discovered the only item that survived the intense heat
was a smoke alarm – still beeping.
“As we did our final checks through what remained of
the house we heard a smoke alarm beeping from under
the ashes on the bedroom floor. The plastic was all melted
off but the battery and internal unit were working fine”.
“The fire would have reached up to 1000 degrees in
some parts” Trevor said. “It’s fortunate that no one
was killed”.
As it was, a man and a child were injured in the blaze and
taken to the hospital with serious burns, two other
children were saved.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
Incidents
SSO Trevor Sheehan holding
the tough little alarm in front
of the fire damaged house.
It is suspected that the cause of the blaze was children
playing with matches.
“It’s a timely reminder that smoke alarms are crucial and
that it would have been so much worse had it not been
for the alarm.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is to install smoke
alarms – they have saved countless lives. The fire here did
$100,000 worth of damage – not including contents.
Fortunately no one was killed in this case thanks to the
smoke alarm alerting the adult to the fire,” said Trevor.
“Of course, sprinklers would have saved the home and
the family’s precious contents and that’s what we’ll be
encouraging when a new home is built on the site.”
February 2008
19

Story and pictures by Maria Cowin
Adam’s ride with
Red Watch
Adam Bain is 17 years old. He draws
and draws. His mum Paula says he goes
through two reams of paper a week.
Adam is autistic. Diagnosed at a very
young age, Adam has had his share
of social and learning difficulties, but
like many other autistic people Adam
has phenomenal recall. Most of what
he draws he does from memory.
When Adam and his mum took
the young artist’s detail-perfect
impression of Whangarei Station’s
Bronto into Reception at Region,
Soraya Governor (Admin Support)
was amazed at the likeness. Adam
had seen the Bronto parked up at a
training day and had also studied it
as it passed through town a couple of
times on the way to turnouts.
Paula said Adam had actually been
reluctant to take his artwork in at all,
he didn’t think it was good enough.
He wanted to do better.
20 Issue No. 37
In the Community
On December 8,
Whangarei’s Red
Wa t c h i n v i t e d
Adam to the station
for a ride on the Bronto he had
drawn.
Some of the guys rostered on for Red
Watch—Wipari, Rhys, Stu, Adam,
and Scott, “grilled” the 17 year old
about licence plates on appliances
around Northland, the make and
model of the engines, the appliance
numbers, and where an appliance
had been stationed previously.
Without missing a beat Adam rattled
off the information, almost always
correct, and often providing unknown
information.
They even tried to catch him out.
“We’ve got a new van,” said one.
From left: SSO Wipari Henwood, SFF Adam
Anderson, Adam Bain and his dad Adrian,
SFF Rhys Wirihana and SFF Stu Pearson.
“I bet you don’t know what that is?”
“Well, actually I do, it’s a ....” said
Adam, firing off the licence plate
number, make and model of the van,
transmission, and place of origin.
He remained non-plussed, seemingly
oblivious of just how impressed the
crew were..
Adam collects fire service memorabilia
(he has more than 2,000 pieces)
and is an avid fan of all things related
to the Fire Service.
So this chance to meet some of his
heroes, ride on the Bronto, and spend
time at Whangarei Station was an
experience Adams’ dad, Adrian, says
he will treasure forever.

Five Te Puke
volunteer firefighters
went under the razor
recently to raise funds for
the Child Cancer Foundation.
Rich in rewards
The New Zealand Fire Service has won
award after award for promoting safety.
Here’s one more.
The Richmond Volunteer Brigade in conjunction
with Summit Rescue Helicopters and St John
Ambulance won the Reserve Champion Outdoor
Large Trade exhibit award at the A & P Show
held in Richmond on November 24 and 25.
Richmond SO Nigel Lammas said the show was
a great opportunity for the public to see what
rescue services actually do when they are called
to an incident.
“We did a cut-out demonstration which got
a great response. It was also an excellent
opportunity to raise firewise awareness for all
people young and old”.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
Te Puke volunteer firefighters Lance Taylor, Scott Taylor,
Wayne Bain, Sam Murdie and Steve Hennum sporting
shaved heads in support of Child Cancer.
Fun & Games
By Alana Tierney
The cause was particularly special for SFF Sam Murdie. Sam, who also works
as a career firefighter with the Tauranga Fire Service, had her head shaved in
support of a close friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
More than $21,000 was raised for child cancer by Police, St John’s Ambulance
and the Fire Service across Tauranga and the Western Bay for the Funrazor
event held at the Tauranga Historic Village on Saturday 15 December 2007.
Members of the Richmond Volunteer Fire
Brigade with the St John’s Ambulance and
Summit Helicopter crews and their award.
February 2008
21

West of the Manawatu Gorge and at the southern end of the Pohangina
Valley is the township of Ashhurst. Recently, the local brigade made a special
effort to save the local kids from any holiday boredom with a school holiday programme.
Fun for all
By AFRC Mitchell Brown
This fun day offered the local kids the chance to experience
“operational firefighting skills” in the safety of the yard
at the rear of the Ashhurst Fire Station.
Volunteer Firefighter Simon Barton, who works in
Palmerston North as the Manager of the Manawatu
YMCA, says that the day was initiated to offer the YMCA
kids home fire safety information. As a part of the
programme Simon delivered a practical session and
firefighters Neil Foot and Paul Neadley presented the onstation
segment of the day.
As part of these activities, the kids were introduced to the
equipment carried on the appliance, given a demonstration
of it and shown the firefighters protective clothing for
attending incidents as well as breathing apparatus.
The final session of the day allowed the kids to experience
the ‘Firefighter Olympics’ with hose handling and target
shooting in the back yard of the station.
Simon remarked “Fire safety, firefighter equipment and
firefighter olympics for kids made the messages stick with
smiles aplenty!”
Hoop dreams
22 Issue No. 37
Fun & Games
Action from last year’s tournament.
By Gareth Hughes
The 2007 National Basketball tournament was hosted by
the Marton fire brigade and was attended by nine teams
with both career and volunteer firefighters taking part.
The tournament covered all abilities with a Social grade,
an A grade and a Premier grade. All games were hotly
contested with some great matches played out.
The tournament was played over two days of competition,
and as is the case with tournaments of this type a lot of
socialising took place! Wellington emerged as the Premier
Grade champions but a great time was had by all.
This year it will be held at the Wellington Basketball Club.
We’re ably backed by a committee dedicated to providing a
professional, well run tournament. Venues are all booked
and plenty of evening entertainment and refreshments are
on the cards.
So dust off the old b-ball boots, get practicing and enter a
team to compete this September 26th and 27th. More details
to come, so watch this space.

A Kauri among
Northlanders
It’s been said that heroes are born, not made. There is humility among people regarded as heroes.
They see nothing special in what they do, ask for nothing in return for their giving, and insist others
would do the same given the chance. But the rest of us know that isn’t true.
Story and pictures by Maria Cowin
Northland’s FRC Trevor Andrews
described 50-year medal recipient
Kaitaia CFO Terry Houghton (QSM)
as a true hero, and a kauri among
Northlanders.
Terry was being honoured at an
awards night (“one heck of a party”)
in Kaitaia in December.
“In my campaign
I said I wouldn’t attend
every formal function, only the
really important ones. Anyone
who’s devoted half a century
to volunteer service deserves
our respect.”
Far North Mayor Wayne Brown
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
“A kauri has mana,
significance, importance.
Terry, you are a Kauri
among Northlanders.”
Trevor Andrews, Northland
Fire Region Commander
The 300 plus well-wishers included
Terry’s twin brother Laurie – himself
a 35-year medal recipient – other
family, friends, colleagues, fellow
volunteers, supporters and dignitaries
the likes of Dame Margaret Bazley,
Far North Mayor Wayne Brown, MP
John Carter, and Northland DCFO
Colin Thompson.
Awards were also handed out to 18
Northland firefighters for their service.
Service
Between them these three gentlemen –
all 50 year medallists – have given more
than 150 years of volunteer service to
the New Zealand Fire Service, from left,
Arthur Drower from Tokoroa,
Terry Houghton (Kaitaia), and William
Barry “Friday” Connell from Waipu.
The feast highlighted a bounty of
Northland kaimoana – crayfish,
oysters, mussels, fish and creamed
paua.
This was a celebration of one of
Kaitaia’s finest – a true gentleman
whose generosity of spirit has no
end, and an acknowledgement of his
wife Dot who has stood proudly by
his side for so many years.
“It is important
that we recognise this
occasion as a community
occasion. It is great to see
such senior representatives
of your community here.”
Dame Margaret Bazley
February 2008
23

The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
Published February 2008
By the New Zealand Fire Service
Media, Promotions & Communications
National Headquarters, Wellington
www.fire.org.nz