Chief praised volunteer fire-fighters

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 59, 25 July 1974, Page 5

Chief praised volunteer fire-fighters

A hope that New Zealand will never lose volunteer fire fighters was made in Taupo last week by the chief fire service officer, Mr W. J. Henderson. Mr Henderson, in Taupo as part of a tour of ipspection of the Bay of Plenty area, said volunteers x had a "very satisfying and refreshing attitude." And this was particularly pronounced when fighting a fire. "Volunteers will have a very large part to play in the New Zealand Fire Service for many years to come," he said. "There will always be . areas where volunteers will serve." During Mr Henderson's visit everything pertaining

to the running and operation of the station is checked. That means all equipment and records are gone over thoroughly. Mr Henderson and his deputy, Mr S. Irvine, spend about two days in each centre ensuring that the standards set by the Fire Service Council are maintained. These levels were set so that the public got the desired level of protection, said Mr Hertderson. And Taupo came through the inspection with flying colours. "We were very impressed with the Taupo brigade," said Mr Henderson. The cleanliness of the station and equipment was particularly evident. Mr Henderson and Mr Irvine said they were also impressed with "the smart

bearing and extremely high morale" of the brigade. Possibly the biggest planned change in New Zealand' s fire service is the mutual aid scheme which,

Mr Henderson says, will be deyeloped within the existing fire regions. Until now brigades had been working as individual units.

Seldom would a brigade call for assistance from an outlying area. Under the new scheme, they would be required to contact as many brigades in the locality as needed.

In preparation for the change, all permanent chief fire officers will take part in a discussion week to be held in Wellington next month, said Mr Henderson.