Brigade calls on community to help stop station thefts

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 597, 1 August 1995, Page 1

Brigade calls on community to help stop station thefts

Raetihi fire fighters are at a loss to understand the minds of some who have chosen to put lives at risk by stealing vital rescue equipment from their fire station. They are pleading with the community to help them stop the thefts. Sometime Sunday 23 or Monday 24 July Raetihi Fire Station was again burgled, thieves forcing the windows at the fire station to gain entry and steal various fire brigade equipment. "Enough is enough — people' s lives are being placed in extreme danger due to the senseless actions of some thick headed, brainless, stupid thieving by local yahoos," said chief fire officer Dave Griffin last week. "These stupid bastards pinched all our tel-

ephones, torches, spot lights, medical kits and even flogged a steel cabinet full of brigade file records." Also stolen were axes, fire extinguishers, protective clothing, and fire rescue lines. The total value of the property was $2400. Chief Griffin stated that the theft has left the fire brigade' sjob even more hazardous as the torches from the breathing apparatus were also stolen. A brigade member explained that, while a torch may seem a minor piece of equipment, without it a fireman could not enter a smoke-filled building. He explained that even without torches, firemen could be prevented from saving a life or lives, by not being able to search for a fire victim.

"It' s about time the community realised that the seriousness of these thefts could render the accident, rescue and firefighting emergency response from the Raetihi Fire Brigade useless," he said. The discovery of vital equipment missing compromises the brigade' s emergency effectiveness. It effectively means that the volunteer firemen as well as the public at large are at risk, he said. "We just cannot do our job," stated the chief. The brigade, under new fire brigade operational policy, has restrictive budget controls. "These burglaries eat quite a hole in our financial resources which in effect means that the cost to date puts us on the back foot. If we blow the budget with gear replacement then when the public call on

our emergency expertise or services, we cannot help them. It could mean a life lost or a property not saved." "We don't like it and neither should the Raetihi community." Chief Griffin was extremely upset and emphasised that the brigade existed on meagre funding and voluntary input. "It is unfair that the criminal actions of a few could affect so many." Raetihi policeman Steve Hart expressed horror at the folly of the burglary. "They are putting the community at risk." Police inquiries are continuing and anyone who has any information is asked to contact the police.