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8Storm dutyIt’s been the wet stuff, rather than the redstuff keeping firefighters busy during Marchwith two major storm systems hittingparticularly the northern half of the country.Some areas had the month’s rainfall in a fewhours and naturally the countryside becomeinundated by the run-off.There have been hairy moments in severalplaces including the rescue of Otaika womanwho got trapped in her car when the riveroverflowed the bridge she was crossing.When she scrambled from her vehicle, shewas swept away. Her neighbour in a kayak,and Te Kopuru firefighters in an inflatable,were able to rescue her from the riverbanktotatra tree she had been clinging to for 20minutes.Inflatable craft were also used aroundNgunguru as firefighters rescued familiesfrom homes engulfed in 1.5m floodwaters.Kaeo, which has been in the news severaltimes in the last couple of years with floods,was hit again with twice its normal monthlyrainfll dropping in a day.Taranaki and Wanganui were hit by bothstorms, and while the first was thought tohave caused at least $3.5 million in damage,the area got off lighter the second time round.While being in the vicintiy of Mt Taranakimeans they are used to rain, residents saidthe ferocity of the winds was surprising,demolishing building and destroying pineplantations by snapping trees off halfway up.Naturally volunteer brigades were very activein cleaning up roads, and fallen trees andpumping out flooded areas.The loss of power was a major problem fordairy farmers as it meant loss of water pumps,not just milking machinery. In some areas,volunteer brigades used their tankers to ferrywater to farms.Hutt Valley and Wainuiomata OperationalSuppport brigades pumped out and moppedup Fernlea School.Above: The South Islandwasn’t immune. Pumpingout the highway was one ofWeston’s callouts.onthejobBeing out and about i Taranaki wasdanegerous with roofing iron, and wholesheds, flying about.Left: Cleaning up fallentrees at Newlands.Photo – Stuff
Slave labourThis 1785 Richard Mason Hand Fire “Enjin” is one of the first fire machines used inCharleston, North Carolina, and one of only three surviving Mason designs.9Initially used by the “Hand in Hand” company, it was operated by 33 handselectedslaves.Fondly known as the “Handtub”, the Mason Enjin worked until the Civil War.COMPACT FIRE-FIGHTINGAND RESCUEBlack Saturdayarsonist convictedBrendan James Sokaluk has beenfound guilty of starting a BlackSaturday bushfire that killed 10people.The verdict means Sokaluk is thestate of Victoria’s worst ever killer.TECHNOLOGY= SMALLER EQUIPMENT= LOWER CAPITAL &RUNNING COSTSDemos available.Call us now for a free informationpack and memory stick.P 0800 FIRESOURCE0800 347 376W resource.co.nzThe 36,000-hectare fire at Churchillin Victoria’s east on February 7,2009, destroyed 156 homes.He lit the fire at two points andthen told lies to cover his tracks,the court heard during his monthlongtrial.Sokaluk admitted to policehe started the fire but said ithappened accidentally when ashdropped out his car window.His Holden sedan broke downon the road near where the firestarted.
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Page 3 and 4: Co-ordinated emergencyservice neede
Page 5 and 6: Retaining volunteers:What are werea
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Page 11 and 12: allow it to cross obstacles, video
Page 13 and 14: New rulesby mid-year13STREAMLIGHT W

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