Category: Fire Brigade

Fire Brigade Update: Jan 2020

Hi Puhoi, As you will all probably know by now the siren has been reinstated and goes off with our pagers.  It is set to sound off twice per call- so if our second unit is required it will go off again- twice. Just a reminder the siren is solely to alert us to a callout -it’s not for Civil Defence purposes or any other reason.
And its meant to be silenced at night time-yet to be tested- apologies in advance if the timer settings aren’t quite right…………
We are now in a Restricted Fire Season so you will need a permit if you want to have a fire – please use this website- www.checkitsalright.nz  
That said think twice about lighting a fire at the moment even if you do have a permit- if we consider it dangerous we will most likely extinguish it.
Our call rate is about normal for this time of year, with only one MVA ( motor vehicle accidents ) which is surprising considering the traffic flows on our roads.
We have attended a couple of scrub/wildfires recently- nothing more than normal but as we would all be aware they have the potential to turn nasty in this wind- remember the faster we are called- 111- the better outcomes we have. We have had several instances of responding to calls out of our immediate area into either Silverdale, Warkworth, Riverhead, Okura  for the very reason of getting on top of the fire asap, as well as our specialist 4 x4 smoke chaser being needed- not to mention our trained crew that brings its wildfire fighting skills to the job!
Some of our Puhoi Fire crew went to Australia last year to assist in the mammoth task over there and we have more crew going this year- while all the time keeping enough crew to respond to our own calls in and around Puhoi and any large National fires that might occur and need manpower- currently preparing crew for Napier if needed.
The Australians are certainly in our thoughts as they cope with such devastating fires and conditions.
We appreciate the ongoing support of Puhoi and the surrounding communities. Remember to please be patient if the road is blocked- we are doing our best to get it reopened as soon as we can.
Last but not least- the new Westpac helicopter is a totally different machine to its predecessor- if it lands near you please DO NOT approach it- it has a low rotor swing that can be fatal.

Regards,
Russell.
Chief Fire Officer- Puhoi
021655461
0272934043

New Arrangements for Anzac Day

A community decision will see a traditional Anzac commemoration go ahead this April 25 in Puhoi despite a police directive to postpone the annual event and encourage people to travel to memorial ceremonies in larger centres such as Warkworth, Wellsford and the Hibiscus Coast.

The rationale for the directive is the lack of enough police force members to patrol Anzac ceremonies in smaller centres in the face of possible threats to public safety following the events of March 15, when 50 Muslim worshipers were gunned down and killed at two Christchurch mosques.
Puhoi people have, however, expressed a wish to meet as has become traditional over the past few year at the settlement’s war memorial gates at the entrance to the Puhoi Pioneers Memorial Park.
The familiar format – a gathering at 9am (9.30am?) Reveille, Scouts, Fire Brigade members and other uniformed groups, a talk by a resident war history enthusiast and the laying of wreaths will be maintained, the major difference this year being that the organisers of the event will be the local fire brigade, not the Puhoi Heritage Museum Society, instituters and organisers of  previous commemorations.
The society will abide by the police directive not to hold a commemoration in Puhoi this year.
The annual display of war memorabilia and literature, plus an Anzac biscuits and refreshments gathering at the historic Puhoi Library will not be affected by these changes to the traditional routine, except for opening times – this year from 10am to 2pm.
Instead of the usual  morning tea in the community hall following the parade, the fire brigade will be hosting the refreshments following the traditional ceremony. People can easily find parking or walk to the centrally-located station.
“The decision to go ahead with the gathering was a community one,” says deputy fire chief Mike Donovan.
by Judith Williamscommunity news provider.

Fire Season Update

We would like to thank the Puhoi residents for abiding by the Fire Ban when it was in place,

As you are aware, on Monday 11 February 2019 at 08:00am, the entire Auckland Council area changed to a Prohibited Fire Season [Total Fire Ban].

Revision of the current conditions has resulted in the decision to return to a Restricted Fire Season [Fire permit required] for the entire Auckland Council area, excluding the Islands of the Hauraki Gulf, as of Monday 18 March 2019 at 08:00am.  The islands of the Hauraki Gulf will remain in a Prohibited Fire Season [Total Fire Ban].

If you have any questions, please contact us on 0800 658 628 or email firepermit.auckland@fireandemergency.nz

For further information please visit our website www.fireandemergency.nz

Total Fire Ban in Place Until Further Notice

 

It’s getting hot and dry out there folks, although you wouldn’t know it here at Region One HQ today, we have our jumpers on! With the conditions for fire safety rapidly declining, the call has been made to change the entire Auckland Council area to a Prohibited Fire Season [Total Fire Ban] on Monday 11 February 2019 at 0800hrs.

ALL fire permits issued during the Restricted Fire Season are suspended from Monday 11 February 2019 at 0800 until further notice.

If you have any questions, please contact us on 0800 658 628 or email firepermit.auckland@fireandemergency.nz

For further information please visit our website www.fireandemergency.nz

Notice of Change to Fire Seasons

NOTICE OF CHANGE TO FIRE
SEASONS

Fire and Emergency New Zealand declare a restricted fire
season, effective from 08:00am, Saturday 1 December
2018 in the following area:

Auckland Rural mainland is in a Restricted Fire Season
[Fire Permit required]
A permit is required to light a fire in open air.
See www.checkitsalright.nz for types of fire which have
been authorised as not being fires in open air and do not
need a permit.
You commit an offence if you knowingly or recklessly light,
or allow another person to light, a fire in open air in an
area that is in a Restricted Fire Season unless under a
permit issued by Fire and Emergency New Zealand and in
accordance with any conditions of the permit. Any permits
issued during a Restricted Fire Season are suspended if Fire
and Emergency declares a Prohibited Fire Season, or
prohibits fire in open air in the area.

 

Fire and Emergency New Zealand declare a prohibited fire
season, effective from 08:00am, Saturday 1 December
2018 in the following area:

All the islands of the Hauraki Gulf are in Prohibited Fire
Season [Total Fire Ban]
Any fire permits issued during a Restricted Fire Season are
suspended from the date on this notice.
You commit an offence if you knowingly or recklessly light,
or allow another person to light, a fire in open air in an
area that is in a Prohibited Fire Season unless under a
permit issued by Fire and Emergency New Zealand and in
accordance with any conditions of the permit.
Thomas Harre
Principal Rural Fire Officer
Auckland
To check the season status in an area please visit
www.checkitsalright.nz
or call 0800 658 628

Can anyone in Puhoi help us?

[ 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

Scrapping the Scrap

 

 

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

 

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