Search on for firefighters in Kaikohe

The Kaikohe Rural Fire Force has the gear - what it really needs is firefighters.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand will host an open day at the Kaikohe Rural Fire Depot (1B Recreation Road, Kaikohe) on Saturday, 11am to 2pm to drum up active support for the Kaikohe Rural Fire Force.

Firefighters and non-operational volunteers are needed, but not only in Kaikohe.

New recruits will be welcomed by all rural and urban volunteer fire stations throughout Northland.

Those who accept Saturday's invitation will be able top meet current firefighters to discuss what they do, what it takes to be a firefighter and how you join up, as well as have a look at the equipment they use, check out the depot and tuck into a free barbecue.

Volunteer fire brigades provided a much-needed service to communities but were struggling to find volunteers, according to Northern Rural Fire Authority spokesman Clinton Lyall.

"Without volunteers we would not have a Fire and Emergency Service in Northland outside Whangarei," he said.

"Firefighters are well respected by their communities, and there are many other jobs they can do apart from fighting fires. We need help with promoting fire safety and fire reduction in rural and urban areas, and we are responding more to medical emergencies.

Recruits will enjoy strong camaraderie as part of a well-trained and well-resourced team, and they don't need to live near a fire station.

"Trained crews can be deployed to fight fires in other places, while volunteering can give skills and attributes that employers are looking for when hiring new personnel.
"Most of your training will be using the NZQA unit standards system. There's more to us than just fighting fires," he said. See us on Saturday and discuss your options for joining a new era of firefighters with Fire and Emergency New Zealand."