Pirongia’s population growth – and an increase in the number of fire calls – have prompted the village’s chief fire officer to search for more volunteer firefighters.
Pirongia Rural Fire chief fire officer Roan Gouws has a 15-year association with the brigade, and has been in the role for the last five.
He said the brigade, which has about 25 members, responds to 90 to 100 fire calls annually.
“We are looking to be ahead of the game and grow our volunteer numbers to meet our community’s future needs,” he said.
Another factor, he said, is Pirongia being a somewhat transient community.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Waikato community readiness and recovery advisor Abi Lawrence, left, and Pirongia Rural Fire chief fire officer Roan Gouws. Photo: Jeremy Smith
“Outside work hours I have up to three quarters of our brigade available in an emergency. During work hours though, given the number who work of town, that drops to three or four. To that end, a great start would be three or four new recruits.”
Gouws said people working from home, or running their own businesses from home, were well suited.
He acknowledged the “entire network” a volunteer firefighter needs to have around them to serve their community that way.
“It’s not just my firefighters I appreciate, but their wives, their husbands, their family and their partners who lend them to the brigade. The employers who allow their staff to attend calls also make a huge sacrifice.”
Pirongia also assists the Te Awamutu and Ōtorohanga brigades with road crashes.
December was relatively quiet call out wise and there had been six in January.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Waikato community readiness and recovery advisor Abi Lawrence simplified a summer message being shared by the organisation as, “…check it’s alright before you light.”
She encouraged people to take steps to reduce the potential of hot embers setting other fires.
“Another message is to keep looking while you’re cooking. A quarter of New Zealand’s house fires start in the kitchen.”
Smoke detectors too, Gouws said, can mean the difference between life and death.
“We recommend having smoke alarms in every bedroom, in the living room and in hallways in high places like the ceiling,” Lawrence added.
Having – and practising – an escape plan, especially with children, could also be hugely beneficial.
Pirongia brigade is preparing for the future – it is thought to be the only Waikato brigade with a cadet programme, led by Jodi Reymer.
Cadets, aged 12 to 16, are taught basic firefighting and first aid skills during school terms, and can attend for up to four years.
With 10 places available annually, Gouws said there is always a waiting list.
The brigade is also fundraising for a new emergency response vehicle – which will cost about $90,000. It has raised about $14,000 – thanks in no small part to the Pirongia Craft Day.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Waikato community readiness and recovery advisor Abi Lawrence, left, and Pirongia Rural Fire chief fire officer Roan Gouws. Photo: Jeremy Smith
