New committee’s fire safety work on track

GOING WELL: The Local Advisory Committee for Fire and Emergency, formed earlier this year to advise on community-related fire safety including volunteer recruitment, have got the ‘thumbs up' from the Fire and Emergency regional manager for how they are going. (From left) Donnette Kupenga, Joelene Andrew, Louise Bennett (dep chair) regional Fire and Emergency manager David Guard, Alice Kibble and Molly Pardoe (committee chair). Absent Vance Walker. Picture by Liam Clayton

The Gisborne Local Advisory Committee (LAC) for the Fire and Emergency Service have begun to “hit their straps”, says David Guard, FENZ regional manager.

The new committee will make a difference in terms of fire safety in the region, he says.

The Local Advisory Committee network was formed by FENZ earlier this year to represent community interests and the interests of volunteer firefighters.

Mr Guard, who is based in Tauranga, attended Tuesday's local LAC meeting and said afterwards the local committee was operating very well.

“All the LACs around the country are quite different, but this group represent Tairawhiti, and they are starting to hit their straps.”

Mr Guard said recruitment of volunteers was one of the unique challenges facing the Tairawhiti region.

“Volunteer firefighter recruitment in this region is sometimes quite difficult, and we hope that the LAC with their local contacts will pave the way for further recruitment.

“They have identified some key areas that affect recruitment numbers. For example literacy and numeracy can be a barrier, so too drivers' licences, and they have ideas around how those areas can be addressed.”

Gisborne LAC chair Molly Pardoe said the committee had formed a solid working relationship, and had completed a stakeholder plan.

“Considering that we've had Covid 19 which has delayed us somewhat, I feel we are progressing very well.

“As David said, one of the local issues we've identified is volunteer recruitment, and helping with that is one of our key roles.

“We will be connecting with our communities to work out how we can attract more volunteers, and will take that further in the New Year,” she said.

“Fire safety plans in communities and community readiness when it comes to things like vegetation fires, will be another of our focus points.”

■ Mr Guard noted that early indications point to this being a big fire season for FENZ. “Hot and dry weather is predicted and we really urge people to take out fire permits and to be careful around normal operations that don't necessarily involve fire — things like machinery operation in dry conditions. Hot machinery, exhausts, the time of day with humidity and wind can be the cause of fires.”