Generators Empower Local Volunteer Fire Brigades

The Twizel and Tekapo Volunteer Fire Brigades are celebrating the arrival of two emergency back-up generators, thanks to funding from the Meridian Waitaki Community Fund.

The New Zealand Fire Service is holding a ceremony at the Lake Tekapo Volunteer Fire Brigade to celebrate the receipt of the emergency generators on Wednesday 19 November from 10:00am.

In the June 2008 round of funding, the Meridian Waitaki Community Fund granted $20,000 to contribute to the provision of two emergency back-up power generators to be situated at the Twizel Volunteer Fire Brigade and Tekapo Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Paul Henderson, Fire Service Area Commander for South Canterbury, says the support from Meridian is invaluable and the generators will allow volunteer fire stations to continue to operate during power outages and other emergencies, such as the very heavy snowfall that occurred during the winter of 2006

“We are delighted with the close co-operation and support from Meridian in the provision of the two generators. Volunteer fire stations become a focal point for the local community in times of real emergency and it is vital that their operational availability is maintained throughout any eventuality,” he says.

“The new generators provide that extra level of resilience in the event of difficulties which is a real step forward and we are very grateful for Meridian's support in providing this equipment to the Twizel and Lake Tekapo Brigades,” he added.

The 230 volt generators will allow both fire stations to provide emergency back-up power to operate as normal in the event of an outage or Civil Defence emergency. Both stations also operate co-response ambulance services.

Mark France, Meridian Strategic Relations Adviser and Chair of the Waitaki Community Fund, says Meridian was pleased to be able to support such a worthy initiative.

“The Twizel and Tekapo Volunteer Fire Brigades provide a vital service to their communities. We are delighted to be able to provide funding to help them purchase the emergency back-up generators. It is crucial they have the equipment required to allow them to operate effectively in times of crisis when the community is relying on them to provide the support they need,” he says.

The Meridian Waitaki Community Fund is to the value of $1 million over three years and is managed by a panel of community members and Meridian staff, who work together to help decide which local initiatives are supported.

ENDS

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