Tina Clendon of Te Rawhiti Rural Fire Force dampens down a blaze in a large shed. Photo/File
Tina Clendon of Te Rawhiti Rural Fire Force dampens down a blaze in a large shed. Photo/File
A public meeting in Rawhiti this weekend will finalise the location of a new fire station.
Te Rawhiti Rural Fire Force, which responds to blazes and other emergencies on the isolated Rawhiti Peninsula east of Russell, has been based in a small shed on the chief fire officer's frontlawn at Hauai Bay since 2009.
Fire chief Rana Rewha said the shed was only big enough for gear so their appliance had to be parked outside in all weather conditions.
The force had 12 core members with more keen to join up but it was difficult to train new members without a proper base.
They were also fundraising for equipment such as a IRB (inflatable rigid boat) - the force was often called to medical emergencies and fires on boats or on the islands - which would also need to be housed.
Mr Rewha said the fire force, along with the Far North District Council, had been looking for a suitable site for some time and had settled on a piece of roadside reserve at Hauai Bay.
Rather than having separate buildings, the council's preference was for a combined fire station, boat shed and public toilets, which are currently lacking in the bay.
The fire force was willing to have a combined facility if it sped up getting the station built but there was some disagreement in the community about the toilets, Mr Rewha said.
The Hauai Hapu Trust had called a public meeting at Kaingahoa Marae, Rawhiti, at 10am tomorrow, to finalise the plans. Everyone was welcome, including landowners, shareholders and interested parties.
The fire station proposal is a joint project between hapu, Northern Rural Fire Authority, DoC and the Far North District Council.
