Firefighters worldwide recognised

THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS: Gisborne firefighters (from left) Shane Vermeulen, Leon Kahn, Peter Clark, Dave Covell, Carl Shaw, Tim Lister and Bernie Bull ready to respond on International Firefighters' Day being marked worldwide. Fire and Emergency NZ area fire commander Charlie Turei has taken this fitting opportunity to thank all the region's fire personnel for the way they have handled the Covid-19 crisis. Picture by Paul Rickard

Today is International Firefighters Day and area fire commander Charlie Turei has taken the opportunity to thank all the region's fire personnel for the way they have handled the Covid-19 crisis.

The day recognises the work firefighters do around the globe.

“It recognises men and women, volunteers, rural and career firefighters — everyone,” Mr Turei said. “I'd like to thank all our regional people for their dedicated service to the community and to Fire and Emergency NZ, especially during the past five to six weeks.

“The pandemic response has been a big one for the organisation and we have had to adjust a whole bunch of our firefighting protocols to meet the lockdown requirements.”

Gisborne's professional firefighters have operated in four separate bubbles throughout the Covid-19 emergency, with no contact between the bubbles in between shifts.

“We've managed to do this well — meeting the needs of our community and keeping our firefighters safe.”

“It's been hard. Our staff have had to really focus on health and safety, social distancing and hygiene to maintain those standards right through Alert Level 4 and now 3.”

Over the past five to six weeks, 40 firefighters throughout New Zealand were tested as “probable” cases of Covid-19.

“Thankfully they all turned out to be negative. None of them were in Tairawhiti.”

Mr Turei said the fire and emergency incident rates around the region had dropped off considerably since the emergency started.

“The number of calls has fallen by more than 30 percent since it started.

“I feel that's down to people being home in their bubbles, watching out for one another and monitoring safety in their own homes.

“Today also recognises the many firefighters who have gone before. Those who have passed away, and those who have retired from the service

“Today we remember their service, too.”