Christmas gift to rural fire fighters needed right away

Within hours of receiving a set of new radios to replace equipment stolen in the aftermath of last month’s earthquake, the Kekerengu Voluntary Rural fire force has the new gear in action, battling a grass fire on Marlborough’s dry east coast.

The radios are essential equipment for the rural crews so they can keep in touch with each other and with the Emergency Operations Centre in Blenheim, which is the operational control point for rural fire fighting in the district.

No sooner had Kekerengu Fire Force Controller John Philipson returned home after collecting the new radios this morning, his crew was called out to a big grass fire on the coast about 15 kms south of Ward, at Wharanui.

Four fire crews and five helicopters are using monsoon buckets to fight the fire and the radios are being put to immediate use.

Marlborough Kaikoura Principal Rural Fire Officer Richard McNamara says the fire is now contained although it has crossed farmland, DoC and railway land. It’s still burning in 10 to 15 metre high trees, and forestry teams and a 12-tonne digger is now being brought in for the next stage of work.

Police and contractors HEB have traffic control on SH1.

Mr McNamara says the Tait’s donation was a god-send as good communication is vital for efficient fire-fighting and for crew safety in a situation like this.

Six two-way radios and the base station radio plus battery pack were stolen from the Kekerengu Community Centre shed after the November 14 earthquake had isolated the community. As soon as the theft was publicised, Christchurch firm Tait Communications offered to send new gear.

General Manager of Tait Communications' New Zealand business, Trevor Laughton, says the company had been pleased to make the donation as volunteer fire fighters did a vital job in rural communities, often in difficult conditions.

© Scoop Media