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Chief Fire Officers Annual Repot
July 2008 - June 2009
 The one guarantee in life is change, and the fire service as an organization and those involved with it see this on a regular basis. Most notable in the past year would be the introduction of the OSM system into the service. While this tool of the trade has some initial quirks I believe we will see some real benefits to the brigade with its use from both a planning and recording point of view.
Fire appliances are also in the change mode, and with the current manufacturing plan our brigade should see us with the most modern lineup we have had in our history by the end of 2009.
I mentioned last year the change in competitions, and it would be fair to say I wondered if there would be much of an uptake. It is pleasing to see brigade involvement and success in the firefighter and waterway challenges. There are still a few opportunities to be further involved with these challenges and I would encourage brigade members to consider the drivers and crash rescue elements in the future.
Training will continue to be a key to our ability to perform the tasks we encounter on a day by day basis as a busy fire brigade. I support and thank Graeme and the training committee for their work in planning the activity. There has been a great variety to be involved with over the past year and it is very pleasing to see the level of support given by brigade members. As an ongoing basis it will be a priority for the brigade in the very near future, to get the next group through the SFF qualification and with the next step up get a minimum of two of our team to the White Island course in Australia.
We continued to be busy with callouts and other station activity throughout the year. Brigade members host station visits, fire safety activity and off site requests during the year and I am sure this enhances the brigade image and gets the vital safety message out to the community. Labour Weekend saw the brigade take part in a road safety initiative sponsored by the NZ Fire Service and the NZ Police, cementing the fact we are an emergency service, not just a fire service.
Our callouts so far as numbers are concerned don’t change too dramatically, but the mix of type seems to have a life of its own each year.
Time to reflect on just a few of last years calls.
On the 7th July 08 the Ashburton Hospital Laundry fire took place. This fire has had a considerable long term effect on a local operation.
Wastebusters on the 31st October was probably the most dramatic looking fire we have seen for sometime and certainly put our skills and resources to the test.
Canterbury Show weekend saw the Winslow and Lismore fires take place. Tudor House was very lucky to survive this fire and I have no doubt it was entirely due to the skills of those on the job that prevented further loss.
I think a first for us, a political sign fire.
Man trapped in a public toilet.
Tractors and hedges seem to have had a bad year.
Wind and flooding on a number of occasions had the brigade extremely busy and during one twenty four hour period we attended twenty three calls.
This reporting year has seen a number of industrial accidents, some with a catastrophic outcome, others where we could make a difference. These calls are taken in our stride from the job point of view but as a brigade it is vital to look after your mates. I believe we monitor thing quite well but it sometimes may require your input to keep things on the level.
The usual open for business fires, from structures to grass to trees and all in between, are dealt with in the professional manner we should consider the norm.
The 8th of April 2009 was a day that as a firefighter, you hope will never come. But come it did and as we responded along with the Willowby Rural Fire Force to a tree fire, it all went pear shaped. Barry Keen, a long serving member of the Willowby unit was struck by a falling branch. Despite the absolute best efforts of all those on the fire ground, Barry did not survive his injuries. Disbelief was probably the thought at the time, that such a simple thing could have such a disastrous result. Brigade members and rural fighters alike supported the Willowby unit and Barry’s family at a funeral service to celebrate Barry’s life at St Stephens church in Ashburton.
There is an element of danger every time we go to a job or are training. We must continue to do the best we can to keep our teams as safe as possible.
Other happenings around the station in the reporting year include the painting of the store rooms, installation of new windows in the meeting, office, and muster rooms, appliance pump testing by Protec, callout system checks and BA survey. Along with the station duty roster activity it all helps to keep the equipment in good shape.
A few milestones have impacted on the brigade in recent times.
I record the passing of ex CFO Keith Kenny. Keith had a long and proud history with the Ashburton Brigade and was heavily involved with activity at the time of the introduction of the NZ Fire Service. The brigade was able to participate in a service to celebrate Keith’s life.
Chris Price continues his position as a board member on the UFBA. No doubt he now fully appreciates any spare time he may have.
Congratulations to Murray Cairns, the latest member of the brigade to receive the UFBA Gold Star, recognizing 25 years of service to the Ashburton brigade.
To all members who have attained service honours, well done, it is a real commitment and deserving of recognition.
Alan McQuarters, the ever vigilant station keeper, now listed as a regional resource, was awarded the Rotary Club, Paul Harris Award for community service. No surprise to us, but well deserved Mac and may you keep up the good work for years to come.
To all those who go the extra mile, attend the ANZAC parade, take on additional duties, attend committee meetings, are an employer of a firefighter I trust you get the personal satisfaction you deserve.
It is a challenge to be a volunteer in any organization. How we adapt to our own changing world with what seems to be a greater ask will determine our level of success and being. It starts and ends with a level of commitment and that level is the changing face of this fire service.
I really do thank each and every one of you as volunteers and as people with families and work commitments to consider in your day to day living.
Looking forward to a rewarding 2009 / 2010 year.
Alan Burgess
CFO Ashburton VFB
The challenges are what give the accomplishments value.
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