Long Service Medals presented

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 28, 9 December 1986, Page 2

Long Service Medals presented

The National Park volunteer fire brigade held their honours evening recently, in recognition of continuous service by many of its members. The town's community hall was filled to capacity for the evening with many honoured guests and officials from the United Fire Brigade Association in attendance. The area commander from Taupo, Peter Smith and his wife and the assistant area commander, Graham Moodie, presented some of the awards. Also present was Taumarunui

fire chief Barry Fischer, Manunui fire chief John Schroeder, Owhango's fire chief Fred Richards and a number of firemen from the Owhango and Taumarunui brigades. Special guests were Mr and Mrs Rackham from Pairoa who travelled the distance to see their son Bill receive his 2-year bar, totalling seven years continuous service to the National Park fire brigade. Medals and service bars were awarded to: Peter Wood, ex-resident of Waikune Prison community, received his 3-year certificate; David Watts, 5year medal; George Bowring, 2-year bar, totalling 1 1 years service; Kar! Mischewski, 2-year bar, totalling 15 years; Lou Williams, 2-year bar, totalling 21 years; Bill McKenzie, 2-year bar, totalling 23 years; Martin Taituma, 2-year bar, totalling

nine years; Danny Williams, 2-year bar, totalling nine years; Bill Rackham, 2-year bar, totalling seven years; Barry Seator, 2-year bar, totalling seven years. A band from Wanganui entertained for the evening and 'Willows' caterers from Taumarunui provided the supper. The brigade has 15 members and one prospective member awaiting approval. The current fire chief is George Bowring wHb took over the position from fire chief of eight years. Karl Mischewski, who is still an active member of the brigade. In just 18 months, the brigade will be celebrating their 25th anniversary and two of the original members. Lou Williams and Bill McKenzie, will be celebrating with them.

Few may realise the number of times the brigade is called into action within the space of a year. Common instances are. chimney and wood-stack fires and often scrub fires over summer. The brigade operates on a system of three phones that ring simultaneously when the emergency 799 is dialled. The three phones — one located at the fire station, one in the Mischewski household and one in the Bowring household, i,f not answered set up the siren. This system saves a lot of false alarms. In the past, the siren was accidentally sounded by a wrong number dialled or children playing with the phones. The Tongariro Timber Company in National Park is very supportive of the brigade and good reason ... the majority of their workers are also volunteer firemen.