Fire and Emergency fundraising for Operations Support Unit

Wayne Kennedy and Tania Anderson were helping man the sausage sizzle on Saturday to raise funds for the Operations Support Unit. Photo/ Andrew Warner

Fire and emergency staff and volunteers did not let the weather put a dampener on their fundraising efforts on Saturday.

The team had the barbecue roaring at Bunnings in Mount Maunganui, fundraising for more resources for the Operations Support Unit in Tauranga.

The unit runs out of the Tauranga Fire Station and its role is to support the fire and emergency crews in the area.

This was done by attending callouts and helping with a range of tasks including traffic control, crowd control and providing canteen for firefighters in some situations.

Operations Support team member Tania Anderson said the funds raised on Saturday would go toward buying new equipment and a fire truck for the support team.

She said the Operations Support Unit not only supported the fire and emergency units but all emergency services including police and ambulance.

"We hope to have the new equipment and a new truck by the new year," she said.

Tauranga firefighter Kim Shelley said the Operations Support Unit was a big help to emergency services.

"The Operations Support Unit takes the pressure off the police, which allows them to do their job."

There was also a station set up to provide the public with more information on how to keep safe.

Tauranga Fire Brigade senior station officer Neil Brown said it was an opportunity to share some fire safety messages with the public.

With summer approaching, Mr Brown and his permanent fire crew were reminding people to check their LPG bottles and caravan fittings.

"People will be going away camping and it's important to check your caravan fittings to make sure they are safe."

He said it was always important to remind people to check their smoke alarms and if anyone wanted more information on a free home fire safety visit they should get in contact with their local fire brigade.

Mr Brown said Bunnings had been "very supportive" in helping raise funds for the Operations Support Unit.