Ashburton Courier: November 04, 2021

NEWS
22 Ashburton Courier, November 4, 2021
www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz
FirechiefDebstakes the helm
TONI.WILLIAMS
@ashburtoncourier.co.nz
Long­standing volunteer
firefighterDebsStilgoe­
Brookerhas taken over the
helm atthe Willowby Fire
Station.
She is oneofjustahandful
of womeninafirechief role
SouthIsland­wide,and the
first Canterbury­wide.
She drawsmotivationfrom
beingagoodrole model for
herteenagedaughters,Penny
andAmy, who arealso
volunteerfiries at thestation;
husband Vaughan is nota
firefighter.
Debsisa21­year veteran
and was deputyfirechief.
She wasappointedtothe
toproleafterapplying for the
position vacatedbySteven
Russell. He wasatthe helm
for28years.
Stevenhas steppedback
from the role,but remains on
crew at thestation, Debssaid.
In other changes,Johnny
White hadbeenappointed
deputyfirechiefand Todd
Smythrankedanofficer.
The changes tookeffect
from July 1and Debs is more
thanready.
She is calm and works well
underpressureonthe fire
ground.
Andconsiders thebrigade
andits members like an
extended family.
The station,formerlyknown
as aruralfireunit, attends
mostly vegetationfires (as a
naturalenvironment crew)
and acts as back up crew
NewWillowby Fire Station fire chief Debs Stilgoe­Brooker is
looking forwardto the future.
PHOTO TONI WILLIAMS
duringhouse fires.
They have afireappliance/
tanker thatcarries just short
of6000 litresofwaterand up
to sixpeople.
Willowbyattended41calls
last year,many during the
peakspring andsummer
seasons. They cover between
the Ashburton and Hinds
rivers, with azig zagareajust
overState Highway One and
out east to the coast.
Debsstartedwith the station
in late 1999, at atime when
there were no female
firefighters on the force; there
are now six at the station,
includingPenny and Amy.
She lived just 200metres down
the road. The sirenwent but
wasn’t answered, thenitwent
again and Debs thought “I could
do that”,soshe did.
Debs joined along with
neighbourLouisaRussell,the
wifeofthe former fire chief and
togetherthey provedthemselves
to the stalwartsinthe brigade.
She proved to be quite good at
it too,and turned out to as many
fires as she could.
She has also pushed herself to
learn, gainingqualifications
along the way. And got involved
in the station workings. She was
secretary for manyyearsand a
trustee foraround five years.
The newWillowby station
office is one of the many
benefits to come out of Fireand
EmergencyNew Zealand’s
nationwide amalgamationin
2017 of urban and ruralfire
forces.
The stationalso has toilets
and a30,000litre watertank
bought with support of
businessesinthe community.
There werenow uniforms to
wear for training, and practices
and training requirementsto
meet.There was also more
accountabilityrequired from
volunteers.
The amalgamation has seen
more structureinvolved in
beingavolunteer,whichhas its
upside, but also put more
onerous on volunteers, Debs
said.
The stationlostafew
volunteers during the initial
amalgamation,Debs said. But
had asteady crewof20inplace
now; 18 operational and two in
management support.
They included fathers and
sons,husbands and wives,
sisters, several sets of brothers,
cousins,work colleagues and
lifelong friends,she said.
Debs works as South Island
manager for MaxCare, and
travels to some remote rural
communities.
She has the full supportive of
the company which has
equipped her companyvehicle
with adefibrillator, afire
extinguisherand firstaid kit.
Debs also carries afull
firefighter uniform, in case she
can helpother brigades in
action.
OUT AND ABOUT
NOVEMBER 6­7
‘Open weekend @StaveleyCamp
and Forest’ withworkshops, kids
activities, forest projects,quiz night,
and hammocks in the forest. Stay
for the day or stay forthe whole
weekend, just bring your food.
RegisteratEventbrite.co.nz
NOVEMBER 7
Car display and dog agility
demonstrationinRakaia Domain.
Also dog washing andnail clipping.
Runsfrom 10amuntil 3pm and will
feature 19 stalls. Gate entry is $5
per car or $1 walk in. Fundsraised
will support new Rakaia dog park.
NOVEMBER 14
Openday at the Staveley Ice Rink
between 10am and 3pm.Bringa
picnic and hearofplansto
refrigerate the rink.Gold coin
donation.
NOVEMBER 27
The exhibition and fete at Methven
Racecourse, Methven. Aday outfor
all the family withclassic and
vintage car competitions, military
collectors displays, best dressed
pageants, pluslive entertainment
and food vendors.Runs from 10am
to 4pm. Tickets costaround $17,on
sale at Eventfinda.co.nz
NOVEMBER 29
Tootfor Tuckerfoodbankdrive
around Ashburtonorganisedby
Ashburton County Lions. Help
replenish the district’sfoodbanks by
leaving non-perishable grocery
itemsatthe mailboxfor collection by
Tootfor Tucker volunteers.
Collectionstarts at 6pm.
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