Retiring 'Toss' not lost to Fire Service

Omapere fire chief June Ross farewells retiring volunteer support officer Colin "Toss" Kitchen during a function at Kerikeri Fire Station. Photo / Peter de Graaf

When Colin "Toss" Kitchen retired from his paid job with the Fire Service, a firefighter quipped that he was better known than the Prime Minister.

And, in the Far North at least, he was probably right.

Mr Kitchen drew a line under his 21-year career as a volunteer support officer on Friday evening with a function at Kerikeri Fire Station attended by 180 people from as far away as the South Island.

Although retiring from his paid job with the Fire Service, Mr Kitchen will continue as a volunteer with the Kaitaia brigade, where he has been a member for 49 years and chief for 10.

He plans to step down from that role late next year when he celebrates 50 years with the Fire Service and the brigade turns 80.

One of the newer officers, Brad Mosby, described Mr Kitchen as "a real stalwart" who had shaped many young people starting out in the Fire Service.

"He's a true legend in terms of volunteer support. Everyone knows him, and that's a testament to Toss' relationship with the people of Northland."

Rodger Beatson, Ahipara's legendary former fire chief, went a step further, describing Mr Kitchen as "better known than the Prime Minister, he's a real people person. He gives his time to everyone."

Presentations were made by Omapere fire chief June Ross, whose gifts included carvings made by inmates at Ngawha Prison, and Fire Service Muriwhenua area manager Allan Kerrisk, in his last official duty before starting a 12-month sabbatical.

His deputy, Craig Rogers, said Kaitaia's standing as "one of the strongest brigades in the north" was down to Mr Kitchen.

Also at Friday's farewell were his wife, Raina, and his daughter Shelley Kitchen, a former world champion doubles squash player.

Mr Kitchen joked about writing a couple of books about his experiences and threatened to take up running. "I've got a bit of go in me yet," he said.

The Whatuwhiwhi resident will retain his positions on the Far North District Council and Northland District Health Board.