Tag teaming for fire safety - New Zealand Fire Service

October 2009
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
Tag teaming
for fire safety
ISSUE
53

October 2009
Issue No. 53
Fire & Rescue is the flagship
publication of the New Zealand
Fire Service.
It is produced by Media,
Promotions and Communications,
National Headquarters,
Level 9, 80 The Terrace, Wellington.
Front cover: Kiwi Pro Wrestling champion
H-Flame fights for fire safety in the new
television programme “Off the Ropes”.
Back cover: Getting ready to evacuate a
Canadian community threatened by fire.
Contributions for Fire & Rescue
We welcome ideas for articles, news
and events that would be of interest to
other Fire Service staff and volunteers.
Draft articles and photos (pictures
need to be at least 1MB) can be
emailed to fire.rescue@fire.org.nz or
contact the editor Karlum Lattimore
on 04 496 3702.
Post written material and photos,
or photo CDs to:
Fire & Rescue magazine,
PO Box 2133, Wellington.
(These will be returned on request)
Fire & Rescue is online at:
www.fire.org.nz
ISSN: 1176-6670
All material in Fire & Rescue magazine is
copyrighted and may not be reproduced
without the permission of the editor.
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6 11
Dog Tales Spreading the message.....................................................................3
Dog rescuers ...........................................................................................3
Fire Safety Grappling to reach the hard to reach ......................................4
Awards Going for more gold ............................................................................6
Three of a kind .......................................................................................6
People A couple of minutes with... Paul McGill ....................................7
Equal opportunity for 2010 calendars ....................................8
What’s New Get Firewise now online ....................................................................9
New Personal Protective Equipment on its way ..............10
New Commissioners ........................................................................11
Truck Update Building up the fleet ........................................................................12
Rural Change Re-organisation of rural fire districts underway ................14
New Technology Satellite for hazmats ........................................................................15
Research Taking up the challenge .................................................................16
Promotions Northland recruitment drive........................................................17
Out and about ....................................................................................17
Around the World Canada – it’s big big big................................................................18
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18

Spreading the message
The Clyde brigade can put out safety
messages as well as they put out a fire.
Recently, a young local man decided to have a late night
fry-up but fell asleep while the oil was heating. He was
saved from the smoke and flames by the barking of
his dog.
Local fire chief Richard Davidson and Queenstownbased
fire risk management officer Stuart Ide managed
to draw the media’s attention to three different safety
messages when the story was reported.
There were no smoke alarms (apart from the bearded
collie dog Jute), never leave cooking unattended and
don’t return to the fire once you’re out of the house.
“We were really pleased with the story that was
printed in the Otago Daily Times – it was a great
illustration of just what can happen when you ignore
the safety messages we promote across the country.
This young chap is now planning to buy some smoke
alarms and go out for takeaways instead of cooking
late at night,” said Richard.
Dog rescuers
Stuart Ide inspects the damage
from the late night fry-up.
Silverdale volunteers Natasha Thompson and Ali Turner turned out to a three-car fatal
crash and went home with a traumatised Springer spaniel.
Dog Tales
“It was very sad. The dog’s elderly owners both died
after the crash and they had no next of kin. We had taken
the dog to our local vet in Silverdale to be checked out
and he immediately recognised him and told us his name
was Guinness. The police offered to take him to the
pound but the vet suggested the dog would be better off
being with people to help him get over the crash. So we
took him to the fire station and Guinness ended up
going home with us,” said Natasha.
“He’s a fantastic dog, very cool with a wonderful
personality and just three years old. But sadly, both Ali
and I travel a lot and so we’re just fostering him until
we can find a permanent home for him.”
Natasha says there have been 14 people killed on
local roads so far this year compared with just five
last year.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine October 2009
Photo courtesy of Otago Daily Times
3

Fire Safety
Grappling to reach the
hard to reach
4 Issue No. 53
Kiwi Pro Wrestling champion and
fire safety champion. H-Flame.

By Scott Sargentina
Hands up those who can remember On the Mat, the
iconic Kiwi wrestling show that was required viewing in
the early 1970’s?
Double points if you can recall some of the names that
achieved ‘cult like’ status from the show – King Curtis,
Mark Lewin, Big John Da Silva and Sivi Afi Taogaga.
Those early black and white TV shows filmed before
small audiences on bench seats in small studios, seem a
far cry from the hype and razzamatazz generated by
the United States WWE pro wrestling circus broadcast
around the world. But they were no less popular.
So why would the Fire Service be associated on a trial
basis with ‘Off the Ropes’ a 13 part New Zealand
wrestling series starting on Prime TV next month?
Like our association with the Bro Town series early this
year, being part of Off the Ropes is a deliberate move
to connect the Fire Service with people we know are most
at risk from fire but who are hard to reach. These include
the young, Ma - ori, Polynesian, students who flat, and the
unemployed.
The cluttered media landscape
The reasons why some people have become hard to reach
are many and varied. When On the Mat played in the
early 70s, it was shown on the country’s only TV channel.
Back then, conveying a message was relatively simple.
Put it on TV and you could be pretty confident people
would see it. Times have changed and not only have
we seen a dramatic increase in free-to-air television,
but satellite as well. VHS and DVD players gave people
more viewing options and they can record and play
back without watching the ads. With the availability of
MySky and TIVO this will only get more pronounced.
There’s competition for our attention from the internet,
numerous radio stations, community newspapers,
letterbox flyers, catalogues and other ‘junk’ mail.
It has been estimated that the average New Zealander is
exposed to 1,500 advertising messages on a daily basis.
It’s difficult to cut through all this clutter unless you have
a huge advertising budget.
The New Zealand Fire Service does not have this type of
budget, so we need to be smarter with what we do have.
Be part of the programme – not the
ad break
One of the ways we can guarantee our message will
be seen is via in-programme marketing (a.k.a. product
placement) which is extremely effective in communicating
messages to an audience who would normally be distracted
by commercial breaks.
Fire Safety
This type of marketing gives us a great opportunity to
promote fire safety messages as part of the storyline and
in ways that are not bizarre or out-of-place and not in
competition with other advertising.
Our association with ‘Off the Ropes’ gives us the
following benefits:
• H-Flame is the current Kiwi Pro Wrestling champion
and he will be a Fire Service ‘related’ character. He’s a
good guy who the crowd loves. He fights bad guys
who the crowd hate. Occasionally H-Flame will lose
but only because of some cowardly, underhand action
of the bad guy. H-Flame will enter the stadium in a
Level 2 jacket to the sounds of fire truck air horns.
• Off the Ropes is not just about wrestling bouts. There
is also a ‘behind the scenes’ component and this is where
we see examples of inappropriate and acceptable fire
behaviour which will be demonstrated by the wrestlers
as part of the actual programming. Messages will
cover smoke alarm installation, dangers of unattended
cooking and overloaded plugs, keeping things a metre
from the heater.
There is an old saying “If you do what you’ve always
done, you’ll get what you’ve always got.” While we
will always have a television advertising presence,
increasingly you will see Fire Service messages on the
internet, as part of on-demand television, in outdoor
situations, and via communication channels provided
by our partners. However, nothing can replace the
No. 1 method of supplying fire safety advice to a
captivated audience – our operational crews who do
a sensational job at home shows, A&P shows, school
visits, community events and so on. This activity is
priceless and directly responsible for saving lives
and property.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine October 2009
5

Awards
Going for more gold
After picking up his Fire Service Sportsman of the year
2008 trophy earlier this year, Dennis O’Leary is now
well into his training for the NZ Firefighters Masters
Track & Field Championships in Christchurch April
2010. The Hastings firefighter is then off to the World
Firefighters Games in Daegau South Korea in August
that year.
Dennis has been active in Fire Service sport for all of
his 32 years service, especially rugby and waterway
competitions. He’s a past winner of World Firefighter
Games gold and silver medals in track and field
sprint events.
Three of a kind
Three generations of the same Silverdale Fire Brigade family received their service awards recently.
Left: son, Daniel Capon (three years service) won
awards for most improved firefighter and for attending
the most musters (shared with Ben Capstick).
Middle: grandfather, Nigel Capon (33 years) was
awarded his gold bar, and named as the officer who
had attended the most musters.
6 Issue No. 53
Right: father, Trevor Capon (14 years) was awarded
the long service and good conduct medals and also
named as the Fire Police member who has attended
most training musters.
Between them, this very committed fire brigade
family has racked up 50 years of service to their
community.
Photo Dennis O’Leary

A couple of minutes with...Paul McGill
Where are you stationed
National Headquarters in Wellington.
What’s your title
Director of Operations and Training.
What’s been your progression within
the NZFS over the past 25 years
I joined the Fire Service in 1980 as a
recruit firefighter in Auckland and served
the next 15 years there as a frontline
operational firefighter and officer. I worked
at eight stations across Auckland and for
two years was a training instructor based
at Mt Wellington.
I moved to Dunedin in 1995 to take up
the Otago Assistant Area Manager position.
In 1997 I was appointed the Auckland
Area Chief Fire Officer and a year later the
Auckland Fire Region Manager. In 2005 I
took up my current position in Wellington.
Family
I’m married to Chris and we have three
children, Erin, Mike and Pat. They are in
their 20s and live in Auckland, Dubai
and Perth.
What’s the one thing that sticks in
your mind about the job
How we have brigades in almost every
community in New Zealand and how well
we reflect and serve those communities.
If you could make one change to the
Fire Service what would it be
To update our legislation and further
integrate urban and rural service delivery.
Your most embarrassing moment
on the job
Jumping out of bed for a firecall and
finding one of my legs was completely
asleep. Like a wounded duck I struggled to
get my trou and socks on and stagger
down two fire poles to be very much last
to the waiting truck. Not a good look.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
What’s one thing people would be
surprised to learn about you
That I once had very long hair, much in
the style of Robert Plant. Prior to the
Fire Service (and baldness) of course!
Favourite book
Bill Bryson’s “The short history of nearly
everything”.
Favourite movie
Lots of favourites, but one I enjoyed recently
was the unlikely, emotional Japanese film
about morticians, called “Departures”.
(Firefighters’ warning – I saw grown men
crying during this movie).
Favourite TV show
Seinfeld
Favourite music group
Crowded House
Favourite holiday destination
My fondest memories are of
camping with the family
at Kiwi beaches
such as Hahei, Pakiri
and Waipu Cove.
Favourite sport
Golf these days.
If I wasn’t in the Fire Service I’d be
Not sure really, but the day I was selected
for the Fire Service I was also accepted
for physiotherapy school. Also at the time
I had my pilot’s license and was thinking
about becoming a commercial pilot.
Who knows, but I have no regrets.
October 2009
People
7

Our People
Equal opportunity for
2010 calendars
Both annual firefighters’ calendars are now on sale, with the men’s calendar
celebrating its 20th anniversary and the women’s into its second year.
The men’s calendar raises funds for
firefighters to travel to international
competitions, particularly to the World
Firefighters Games, which will be held
in South Korea in 2010. Funds are also
donated to the Child Cancer Foundation
– with around $40,000 raised last year.
Each year 40,000 or so copies of the men’s
calendar are printed.
Three of the 12 firefighters featured are
flat mates as well as work mates. One of
them, Aucklander Jacson Kluts, 24, says
he was prompted to volunteer because
when he was out selling last year’s
calendars a lot of people said they’d have
bought it if he and his mates were in it.
8 Issue No. 53
Meanwhile around 3,000 copies of the women’s calendar
are on sale with proceeds this year going to the Westpac
Rescue Helicopters. Photographer and organiser Shirley
Nolan says last year they raised $20,000 for charity and
they hope to do just as well this year.
“They’re a great bunch of down to earth Kiwi women
and we had a lot fun. But shooting in June or July in
some atrocious weather, the rain, gales and fog presented
some real challenges,” she said.
Orders
Mens calendar: www.firemanscalendar.org.nz
Women’s calendar: firelady-calendar@hotmail.com
Both calendars sell for $10.
Shirley also asks that any fire stations with money still
owing for 2009 to please send it through.
The men’s calendar is also sold direct to the public by
members of the NZ Firefighters Sports Association.
More South Island firefighters are being asked to
help with this – contact rob@firemanscalendar.co.nz
if you can help.

NOW ONLINE
The makeover of Be Firewise into Get Firewise for year 1 and 2 primary
school children is well underway with one its most significant features –
the new website www.getfirewise.org.nz – now operational.
The website has been developed to grab the attention of
teachers and principals. They are the people who largely
decide what is taught in a school. If they are convinced
of the value of Get Firewise they’ll make sure it is
delivered in their school to their year 1 and 2 pupils.
The new website has some great features, including:
• Firewise live: video case studies of different schools’
experiences who piloted Get Firewise over a term or
over just one or two weeks.
• video of the firefighters’ presentation
• downloadable resources: pictures and print
friendly versions of all the Get Firewise material
• the latest research and best practice for teaching
five and six year olds
• FAQs
• an online form to order resources or request a
firefighters’ visit (this form will still be
distributed to the regional Firewise
coordinator).
A primary teacher focus group and Ministry of
Education advisors have tested the new website and
given it their seal of approval.
A print advertising
campaign to promote
www.getfirewise.org.nz,
began in the main
education media at the
beginning of Term Four
(12 October 2009).
This coincides with
the time when teachers
begin planning their
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
www.getfirewise.org.nz
The new kit is available from the
beginning of Term One, 2010.
Come on guys,
here’s the new
Get Firewise
The New Zealand Fire Service’s much loved fire safety
programme for year 1 and 2 is now even better!
It takes all the best bits of the
old resource and combines
them with a load of fantastic
new features – including a cool
new interactive website and
digital story on DVD-ROM.
class work for 2010 – we want them to consider
teaching Get Firewise.
New sections for firefighters and parents will be added to
the site over the next couple of months. The children’s
section of the website will also be upgraded in 2010.
The new Get Firewise resource kit is on target to be
ready for use in schools from Term One 2010.
To see the Get Firewise site from an NZFS server,
you’ll need to go to http://firewise.fire.org.nz
Teachers:
Order your FREE
Get Firewise kit
through the website,
or contact your local
fire station.
What’s New
October 2009
9

What’s New
New Personal Protective
Equipment on its way
Structural Suits
Some modifications have been made to the most recent
order of structural firefighting suits which are being issued
as replacements in the next few months. The changes
follow feedback from operational staff and the Total
Care Centre.
The over-trousers have wider, ‘H’ pattern braces rather
than the current narrow ‘X’ pattern. The wider braces
distribute load more evenly and the change to an ‘H’
pattern means that they stay located on the shoulder
more effectively.
Meanwhile an additional radio mike loop has been added
to the coat’s right front and the coat collar has been
stiffened to help prevent it scrunching down.
10 Issue No. 53
Inspection zips have also been fitted to the bottom of
the coat and the top of the overtrousers. This will allow
Total Care staff to routinely inspect the garments’
moisture barrier when they are sent in for cleaning.
The zips will also simplify the repair process which
currently requires main seams to be unpicked prior to
repair and then re-stitched afterwards.
Chemical Splash Suits
The roll out of the new Draegar single-use chemical
splash suits (pictured) is under way. Suits have been
delivered to: Auckland, Transalpine, Arapawa, Southern
and Bay Waikato Regions. The roll out includes disposal
packs which allow the suits to be ‘bagged and tagged’ so
they can be safely transported and disposed of. The roll
out is expected to be completed early in the new year.

New Commissioners
The Fire Service Commission has two new members on its Board.
The government recently appointed former Deputy
Prime Minister Wyatt Creech and former Chief of
the Renwick Volunteer Brigade Dave McFarlane. They
replace Terry Scott and John Hercus whose terms
of appointment had ended.
Wyatt is an experienced corporate director with a
economic management and business background.
He says “Fire fighting in New Zealand has a proud
tradition. We have all seen the TV pictures of the men
and women who take on the task (whether professional
or volunteers) of dealing effectively with emergencies.
That noted, I have always felt that the general public
tends to rather take a service like the Fire Service for
granted – when we need it – bang – it will be there, and it
will do what we expect of it. For the most part they
probably don’t realise the complications of delivering
such a key service. For me being involved presents a
challenge – a challenge to see that we do what we must
do to match that underlying public expectation and
uphold that tradition of service.
As a new player I have a lot to learn of course.
I look forward to the challenge.”
What’s New
Meanwhile, Dave McFarlane, who is a former president
of the United Fire Brigades Association says he feels
privileged to have been given the opportunity to make
a contribution at Commission level.”
“I have 18 years experience as a career firefighter with
the NZ Defence Force and have been part of the
Renwick Volunteer Brigade since 1972. I also have
a background in building construction – managing a
variety of capital and operating projects involving the
construction of new buildings, building alterations and
maintenance, and infrastructure development.
“Over the last decade I have observed the evolution of
the NZ Fire Service into a world class organisation filled
with many talented people. Our fire services, like fire
services around the world, face many challenges and I
look forward to contributing to the discussion about how
those challenges should be addressed in New Zealand,”
he said.
Their first day on the job proved a practical experience for new Commissioners
Dave McFarlane (left) and Wyatt Creech. They got a sneak preview of the two gas
suits the Fire Service is evaluating. These are ‘limited use’ suits. They can be worn up
to five times, but must be disposed of once they become contaminated. A decision
on which suit the service will adopt should be made before Christmas.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine October 2009
11

Truck Update
Building up the fleet
New fire appliances are rolling out of the Lower Hutt manufacturing
and assembly plant at a steady rate.
Fraser Engineering Group builds the New Zealand Fire
Service Type 1, Type 3 and Type 4 appliances. The company
is responsible for designing and producing the innovations
the Fire Service wants – as well as creating and introducing
some of it’s own improvements and modifications.
General manager Martin Simpson says Fraser’s is at the
cutting edge of the industry and is using some of the worlds’
most advanced (and expensive) engineering technology and
software. This includes its laser cutting machine and its
highly complex folding machine known as a press break.
The company was founded half a century ago by John
Fraser, who, though retired, still keeps a close eye on the
business. He’s also commandeered some of the space
for his personal project, building a two-seater aircraft. His
daughter Raewyn Fraser is one of three company directors.
The Type 1 appliances are the mainstay of the Fire Service
fleet. Production of the new variation has been steadily
Another Type 1 rolls out
from Frasers.
12 Issue No. 53
Checking over the delivery couplings for some of this
year’s trucks.

amping up with close to three appliances a month being
delivered. The first 10 have been completed and are either out
in the regions or are on the way.
Just to recap some of the specifications, the key features are the
Iveco Euro Cargo six person crew cab and chassis. The cab and
chassis safety features include ABS disc brakes, front under run
protection, three-point seat belts for all seating positions.
The engine is a direct injection diesel, turbo-charged and aftercooled,
six cylinder 24 valve producing 185Kw. The emissions
standard is Euro 4 using the SCR method (AdBlue).
The transmission is an Alison 5 speed automatic. The rearmounted
water pump is a Darley HM500 single stage pump
which feeds a common waterway for the single 62m hose reel
and three delivery outlets. The pump is driven from a Chelsea
side-mounted transmission PTO through a drive shaft.
There is a Foam Pro class A foam system which injects foam
into the hose reel and numbers 1 and 2 delivery outlets.
The onboard foam tank holds 60 litres and can be filled from
the ground.
The alloy body provides more locker space at 4.83m 3 and
incorporates stowage for BA sets. There is no roof access as
all equipment, including the suction hose and Bindon access
ladder are accessible from the ground.
A new feature is that the 2000 litre water tank is now made
of plastic.
Truck Update
The designers of future ideas for fire appliance enhancements
work in a locked room and use 3D technology to create
refinements and innovations. Some of their work can be seen
in movies such as Lord of the Rings and Avatar while others
now adorn the Dowse Art Museum facade in Lower Hutt.
Apart from fire appliances, Frasers also makes a range of other
products, including aluminum Tuatara lizards for the tourist
industry, high voltage switch gear and airplane parts.
Below: Type 1 production line.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine October 2009
13

Rural Change
Re-organisation of rural
fire districts underway
Rural Fire Authorities are being encouraged to amalgamate
to allow better management of resources.
The National Rural Fire Authority is supporting and
promoting these efforts and has developed a national
strategy to help introduce the change.
At the moment there are over 80 rural Fire Authorities
throughout the country who coordinate, resource and
manage fire prevention and suppression in their local
forests and rural lands.
The organisations making up these authorities include
the Department of Conservation, territorial authorities,
forestry companies, Federated Farmers, the Fire Service
and the New Zealand Defence Force.
National Rural Fire Officer Murray Dudfield said “There
is support for voluntarily reducing the number of rural
Fire Authorities to fewer than 20 or so which would still
14 Issue No. 53
mean that those who are closest to the risk have the
responsibility for managing the risk. At the same time,
authorities that amalgamate would be able to pool their
resources and use them more. Funding would be more
equitable, management practices would be more uniform
and there would be fairer representation.”
The National Rural Fire Authority is working closely with
rural Fire Authorities and other stakeholders to promote
the Enlarged Rural Fire Districts Strategy. To help with
this, explanatory booklets and posters have been sent to
the rural sector and other interested organisations.
“The National Rural Fire Authority will also be providing
governance and management guidelines as well as other
practical tools to help the new enlarged Rural Fire Districts
to become established,” said Murray.

Satellite for hazmats
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
New Technology
One of the recommendations from the Tamahere investigation
was for the Fire Service to investigate a more robust form of data
connection from the hazmat-command vehicles to Fire Service
communication systems.
A project was already underway looking at the
potential for installing mobile satellite communications
on the new hazmat/command vehicles.
A solution has now been found and installation of
the iNetVu satellite technology has started. Satellite
dishes are now being fitted on the roof of the cab of
all the hazmat/command vehicles.
Operation of the technology is very straight forward.
A click of a mouse from inside the Hazmat/Command
Unit will find the satellite and connect to the network.
Crews can also stow the satellite dish remotely from
inside the vehicle. Set-up and connection can take
between three and five minutes. Data speeds of 1MB
(up and down) are standard however in a major
emergency the Fire Service can request a priority
upgrade to 4MB. The satellite suppliers have helped
with the installation, set up and training by sending
one of their company representatives, an ex firefighter,
out from Canada to work with our own project team.
October 2009
15

Research
Taking up the challenge
Improvements are planned for the United Fire Brigades Association Annual Conference and
Firefighter Challenge events following research funded by the NZFS Commission Research Fund.
The Association and Fire Service
commissioned two pieces of independent
research to find out what
participants’ experiences had been
and where improvements could be
made.
Overall, the questionnaires came
back with strong support for both
the conference and the challenges.
As expected, there were also some
useful findings on where changes
could be made to beef up involvement
and improve the experience.
Chief executive of UFBA, George
Verry, says people who attended
the annual conference appreciated
its networking opportunities and
almost everyone shared some of the
information they picked up with
their brigades.
“The report suggested that we could
make it easier for delegates to report
back to their brigades. So we are
16 Issue No. 53
thinking of how to supply speakers’
notes for instance, or possibly we
could provide DVDs of the presentations
– especially if there’s someone
presenting some new material from
overseas for instance,” he said.
There have been a few issues with
travel arrangements in the past and
some changes are being made to deal
with this, he said.
The study on the challenge events
found that overall it found the
events are well regarded by both
those who take part and those who
do not. A relatively small number of
brigades contribute the majority
of participants and most individuals
take part in only one event.
It found that overall awareness of
the range of events was fairly mixed,
with the Drivers Challenge the least
well known.
George Verry says the research pointed
out the importance of promoting
the events to as wide a firefighting
audience as possible, something the
UFBA is planning to do.
“We know that some of our volunteers
are very active in all sorts of different
sports and recreation activities and
our events have to compete with that.
But we encourage participation in
our challenges by all volunteers, not
just those who are into sports. The
National Drivers Challenge and Road
Crash Rescue Challenge are relatively
new additions to the challenge events
and they showcase the skills fire-
fighters need beyond those involving
hoses and actual firefighting. We hope,
that as we continue to promote all
our events that we attract more and
more competitors.
George also said that the Firefighter
Combat Challenge is likely to be back
on again next year – watch this space.

Northland recruitment drive
Northland wants more women to join its volunteer fire brigades.
By Sandra K. Bogart
Northland Region’s Communications Advisor
As a starting point, Region Commander Trevor Andrews
arranged a discussion forum with Kaikohe women
volunteers to find out why they joined and how their
experience has been so far.
Fifteen women from six brigades spoke candidly with
the facilitator. Most joined because they had been
invited along by family, friends or work colleagues.
None had joined purely because of brochures or other
written material.
Their initial perceptions on walking into a brigade
ranged from excitement to feeling intimidated and unsure
of their abilities to do the job. Some brigades were
described as welcoming and others as exclusionary.
Once in a brigade, most of the women felt included
and essential. Their biggest complaints had to do with
uniforms that did not fit.
Suggestions for improvement included: develop a positive,
supportive induction programme; promote women as
Out and about
Flint and Amber made their appearance for
the first time in the Eastern Bay of Plenty
at the Whakatane Airport airshow.
Over 6000 people attended the airport open day and
airshow, which had been combined with the Royal
New Zealand Airforce Wise Owl 93 exercise.
Flint and Amber, helped by members of the
Whakatane Volunteers Fire Brigade gave away fire
safety books, stickers and other bits and pieces.
They were a great hit with the kids but failed
miserably in their attempt to persuade the airforce
guys to give them a ride in a Red Checker plane.
The Whakatane brigade trained with the Air Force
fire crew a few days later to practise procedures
for aircraft fires and crashes.
Promotions
active members of the brigade; promote the range of
roles and opportunities that exist in brigades; and
encourage senior brigade members to be more flexible
in their approach to young women recruits and young
people in general. They also wanted uniforms made more
‘female-friendly’.
Aggie Maxwell, Fire Service Operational Support Officer in
Kaikohe (left) plays a major part in welcoming and supporting
female firefighters in her brigade. She attended the forum
with her niece Leeara Maxwell (centre) and fellow volunteer
Jasmine Tahere-Radovanovich. The two teenagers feature in
the current issue of Mana Magazine, talking about their
volunteer experience.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine October 2009
17

Around the World
Seven Kiwi rural firefighters recently returned after five
weeks in Canada helping the British Columbia Forest
Service with some of the 2,700 fires they’ve been trying
to control since the beginning of the fire season in May.
“They were exhausted and wanted help,” said John
Rasmussen, Manager Rural Fire National Rural Fire
Authority, Palmerston North, who was New Zealand
agency representative and liaison for the Australia
New Zealand team on deployment.
“It was the first time New Zealand firefighters had
deployed to Canada. We were asked to help with incident
management and in the field working as Branch Directors,
Divisional Supervisors and Aircraft Managers. The first
18 Issue No. 53
Canada – it’s
big
When it comes to fighting wildfires in Canada, the New Zealanders discovered that
everything comes on a massive scale, from the machinery to the landscape and the fires.
two weeks were based at a fire camp in Lillooet in the
Fraser Basin then we moved to the Kamploops area.
“Things over there are a whole lot bigger and they
use a lot more resources. There’s a fleet of planes and
machinery on tap while firefighters are bought in from
throughout Canada. By the time we got there they were
pretty tired. We all worked 14 day shifts followed by
three days off.
Bryan Cartelle, Principal Rural Fire Officer, was the team
leader for the New Zealand contingent. “The thing about
fires over there is that really, all anyone can do is just
try to contain them until the wet weather and snow arrive
in late autumn and puts them out. It’s quite different
Home away from home
for the Kiwi contingent.

ig big
to the way we work here. So there’s a lot of herding,
containing, slowing and bulk perimeter work. And they
have a lot more toys and a lot bigger toys to use, especially
their aerial support. Having said that there’s also a lot of
work done by crews using hand tools and hose”
New Zealand has been deploying rural firefighters
offshore since 2000, mostly to the United States and
Australia. This was the tenth such deployment and
John Rasmussen says the information and experiences
that have been bought back over the years have proved
invaluable. There’s always something new to learn.
Brian particularly valued his experiences organising the
evacuation of communities, including those made up
Most of the Kiwi contingent: Matt Flynn, Department of Conservation;
Paul Devlin Christchurch City Council; Nathan Keogham, West Coast
Rural Fire District; Bryan Cartelle Manukau City Council; Trevor Bullock,
Department of Conservation.
Getting briefed for
the next shift.
Around the World
of First Nation people. “That’s not something you do
very often,” he said.
“Seeing how others operate allows us to pick up some
useful tips and ideas for adaptation back home,” said
John. For instance, although New Zealand use the same
Fire Danger Rating System as Canada they also rank all
of their fires against a fire intensity scale.
Paul Devlin, Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer, worked
in the field said he picked up a few ideas. “For instance,
we noticed they use smaller diameter hoses in combination
with more use of hand tools in areas where water is
scarce. They’re also very skilled in the use of those
Pulaskis. That’s an area we could improve on.”
John Rasmussen with one of the smaller
trucks used to get around between fires.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine October 2009
19

The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
Published October 2009
By the New Zealand Fire Service
Media, Promotions & Communications
National Headquarters, Wellington
www.fire.org.nz