February 2013 kumeucourier

PAGE 2
Stephen Sparnon,
DCFO, Kumeu
Fire Rescue.
For an
emergency call
dial 111
The full effects of alcohol
Summer is a great time of the year and one way people relax, is with the usual dose of alcoholic beverages. Plenty of
government agencies tell us 'Don't drink and drive'. The don't drink part is a personal choice; the driving part should be a
no brainer. ‘Drink, don't drive!' So the effects of alcohol on you as a driver are well documented, but the effects to all the
people involved in a drink driving incident are not so well known. So may I let you know how it can affect people involved if
you have a driving under the influence incident. IT IS NOT AN ACCIDENT.
1st is the innocent people involved in the other vehicle.
2nd is the innocent people following who stop to help and work out what to do and how.
3rd is the people who live nearby that hear that sound and know straight away 'that sounds like a bad one'.
4th is the first aid response people that arrive in their own vehicles to assist.
5th is the members of our Volunteer Fire Brigade who assist with equipment, crews and experience.
Then you have, in no particular order Ambulance officers, Tow truck drivers, Local Police, Serious Crash Investigators,
Paramedics, council clean-up road crews and the nurses and doctors at whichever hospital you are admitted to. In total if
you have a serious motor vehicle incident up to 35 or more people will be affected in one way or another.
As we go about our usual lines of work and travel these roads we work and live near, we are all reminded of the effects of
alcohol. So the effects of alcohol can have a much longer effect on others than the sore head the next day.
In all cases think before you drink and before you drive. In all cases and in all emergencies dial 111.
Still no decent internet connection
Over the last 10 years, it-iQ has performed interesting internet installations in the middle of the Woodhill Forest, on coastguard
vessels, oil tankers, fishing boats, yachts, factories, small businesses running from home, batches, vehicles and rural
fire services. Also Mobile Broadband connections out West and Nor-West where there is no other internet connection apart
from Dial-Up. How can anyone access Trade Me and internet banking using Dialup? There is no longer a need for slow
speed connections!! Also, if your mobile phone has only reception on the deck or in the corner of a particular room
(standing on one leg) we have a solution for this as well. This can get you access to the mobile phone network from all
around your property. For more please come to the Huapai Service Centre on 322 Main Road in Huapai. Phone us on 09
412-9227or email Huapai@itiq.co.nz.