[ Via Rochelle Martin ]

We have an opportunity for Puhoi residents and we thought you might be interested – or might know someone who will be.

Would you, or someone close to you, like to be a career firefighter?

Fire and Emergency NZ is opening recruitment for career firefighters on 20 July.

In a recent survey 25% of people told us they would consider a career as a firefighter. Fire and Emergency New Zealand offers a steady job, career progression and multiple opportunities to put skills such as problem solving, empathy and team-building to good use.

From working in communities and schools to fighting fires and responding to motor vehicle accidents, the role is varied. No two days are the same. It’s not 9 to 5 and it’s not behind a desk.

We have firefighters from a range of diverse backgrounds and life experience.

Don’t let concerns like not being fit enough get in the way of applying. Our fitness video – which outlines how to prepare for the fitness test (only one element of the recruitment process) – is online and includes a training programme to get you test ready.

Applications can be received from from 20 July to 20 August with successful applicants needing to be available to start training in January or April 2019. You can find more information at: www.fireandemergency.nz/join or feel to ask me any questions you have.

For those of you happy in your work – consider becoming a volunteer. We need people up and down the country with a wide range of skills. Find out more here.

Stay Safe

Rochelle Martin
National Manager Career Recruitment
Fire and Emergency New Zealand

We would like to inform the community that we will no longer collect scrap steel for our Brigade fundraising-as of 10th February onwards.

We thank everyone one who has contributed their scrap steel  over the last 8 years, but for several reasons it usefulness has come to an end.

The unsightliness of a pile of scrap steel at the site of the old fire station, on the main thoroughfare through Puhoi is now unwelcome.

Please contact Alexandras Scrap Metal directly on 09 4269150 to arrange collections, or better still you can take it direct to their yard in 35 Forge Road Silverdale.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE- no more scrap to be dropped off at 1 Ahuroa Road from tomorrow, Saturday 10.

Thank you, Chief Fire Officer Russell Green 021655461

[from Russell Green]

A reminder that the open fire season starts on Saturday 1^st April.

We would like to thank the residents of Puhoi for conforming to the restricted Fire season, thanks,

Please let everyone know that we can still put it out, even if it doesn’t need a permit,  if it is dangerous or a smoke nuisance or burning at night.

Full fire season details

Thank you,

Russell

[from our dedicated and always cheerful, Fire Chief, Russell]

Kia Ora,

The Rodney community is getting behind the Puhoi Fire Station appeal, with a Givealittle-athon, timed for Guy Fawkes weekend. We had hoped to get our local radio station, More FM Rodney, in behind the event!

Anyone planning to donate should do it Guy Fawkes weekend!

The Puhoi Fire Station Givealittle campaign, technically, is an ‘open cause’ that runs until 31 May 2017. However, rather than have it drag on for another seven months, a ‘Givealittle-athon’, climaxing on 5–6 November, is underway.

Here’s why:

1. The funding heavy lifting has happened, but help is needed to finish the job, so that as soon as the building is complete, a fully operational fire station can be opened; so, to help make this happen,
2. Donations of $25 or more made between now and the end of Guy Fawkes weekend attract a reward.

All that those wishing to receive a reward need to when donating on Givealittle, is to provide their details for an e-receipt, and check the ‘Share my details with Puhoi Volunteer Rural Fire Force’ box.

Check out the rewards—you can even suggest a reward!—at mahurangi.org.nz

This initiative is also being publicised by:

Junction magazine Remember, Remember Puhoi Fire Station 5 November

Mahurangi Matters Puhoi Fire Campaign Rekindled

Rodney Times Puhoi Firefighters Drive for Permanent Home

Your support in promoting this community-led event could really be the difference in gaining momentum over the weekend. Feel free to get in contact with me at any time over the next few days to discuss further.

• House Fire – 2
• Flooding Preparation – 2
• Motor Vehicle Crash – 1
• Tree Blocking road – 2
• Road clean up – 1
• Water Rescue – 1

This month has been unseasonably busy for us. Sadly another fatal crash blocked SH1 putting our local roads under the burden of SH1 traffic, thankfully this time no trucks blocked the road! A water rescue came in early one morning where a boaty became unwell. A reminder to either have a locator beacon or a radio on board your boat to help get you help when you need it!

Weather is slowly turning around and with the upturn in weather comes the ability to burn your dead garden waste. Currently we are in an Open Fire Season excluding the islands. Please do be mindful when burning, no green vegetation make sure its brown. Otherwise lots of smoke is given off and if we are called for a smoke nuisance it will have to be put out. Also as the ground dries out be wary of embers in the wind. If you are not sure whether you can burn, go to the Auckland Council Website or ring them on 09 301 0101.

As most people are aware we have managed to secure $500,000 for our station build and building should be starting sometime September/October. With some luck we will be in the new premises by the time Santa comes! We have a sign up at the new site promoting how much more we have to go (only $200,000). This is mainly for the interior, such as office desks, chairs, tables, lockers etc. Any donations are gratefully accepted! You can donate at our Give a little page. Search Puhoi Fire.

Energized by the real prospect of getting the Fire Station Project completed now that Auckland Council have agreed to fund a large part of the cost, the fire brigade has started a givealittle page to raise funds https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/pvrff .  Please give your support – these guys do a fantastic job for our community and may well be there just when you need them …

Puhoi Fire Brigade report for June.

5 call outs this month;

-Tree down due to stormy weather – brigade cleared fallen tree to allow access along Krippner Road until the contractors could get there.

– Smoke showing opposite Wenderholm turnoff- turned out to be a major controlled burn off from a earth moving contractor- went for over a week…..

-3 motor vehicle accidents- two on Ahuroa Road- both were trucks that lost traction and ended up blocking the road- these trucks were taking the shortcut through Puhoi after State one was closed due to major accidents. Brigade helped control traffic to get the large tow trucks up to the site just past J Tolhopf Road.

And the other motor vehicle accident was when two motorbikes crashed into two separate cars at the same time on State Highway one by Schollums Access Road. A terrible scene with carnage spread over a vast area- two of Puhois Brigade were proactive in giving first response medical help until further ambulances and Westpac arrived on the scene to take over.

So sadly a couple of fatalities between Puhoi and Warkworth this month prompting a gentle reminder from the Brigade to locals to drive carefully, to the conditions and at a safe following distance.

Brigade crew attended several training courses last month and I went to Wellington to represent Auckland Rural Fire at a workshop dealing with volunteers and the new regime coming in July 2017.

Looking forward to the Forums workshops especially the one where you, the public, get to help us with our Fire Station project- see you all there on Sunday!