Download PDF: Issue 9 - New Zealand Fire Service

Local leaders, including Mayor Stuart
Crosby and sports celebrities, had a
taste of what is required to be a
firefighter. They went through the
physical competency test in Red
Square.
Ron said even though the challenge
wasn’t fi re safety specifi c, the level of
participation by local leaders and
sports people reflected their
commitment to a worthy cause.
It was designed to get public attention
and was a fun way for people to learn
about the dangers of fi re. Fire safety
was a serious subject, but needed to
be lightened up, he said.
The level of fitness and strength
required in lugging weights and
hauling dummies surprised
contestants. Bay of Plenty Steamers
rugby player Charles Baxter said the
challenge was “physically tough”
and he would choose a full-on
rugby game over this any day. The
celebrities had an unfair advantage as
they teamed up in two’s to challenge
the chief fi re offi cer. Notwithstanding
this the boss achieved 3 minutes 19
seconds individually and was not far
“... weights and hauling
dummies surprised
contestants.”
behind the team effort with the best
time being 2 minutes 14 seconds.
To add to the attraction and
entertainment, Tauranga’s Westpac
building in Red Square got a hosing
down by Tauranga firefighters.
This got the attention required,
getting live coverage on one of the
local Radioworks stations whose
offi ce is in the building.
Key organizers of the event
Murf Arndell and Richard
Moreland said the campaign
was designed to target urban
shopping, industry and commercial
areas and was aptly named Take Fire
Safety Home.
The week’s programme included a
travelling road show where fi refi ghters
visited all main shopping centres
giving live demonstrations of kitchen
and car fi res and providing a range of
fi re safety activities for children. The
mobile fi re shop enabled the public to
view fi re safety footage on screen and
to talk to fi refi ghters about home fi re
safety.
Safety week
The event was covered by local
radio with breakfast interviews at
the fi re station, celebrity kitchen
fire checks and live cross-overs.
Murf and Richard were pleased
with the public’s response and said
it would not have happened
without the support of main street
managers and commercial
sponsorship.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine May/June 2005
7