Salute for balloon crash fire crew

REMEMBERING: Carterton Volunteer Fire Brigade and Masterton Fire Station are to be awarded certificates of appreciation from the New Zealand Fire Service for their endeavours following the Carterton balloon tragedy. Pictured is a temporary memorial that was erected at the corner of State Highway 2 and Somerset Rd for those lost in the tragedy. PHOTO/FILE

Wairarapa firefighters are finally being recognised for their efforts during the Carterton balloon tragedy.

New Zealand Fire Service Commission certificates of appreciation will be presented to the Carterton Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Masterton station to mark their hard work after the crash that killed 11 people in January 2012.

Carterton fire chief Wayne Robinson, who was one of the first firefighters to reach the scene, said the recognition was well-deserved and long-awaited.

"There's been some people working behind the scenes saying Christchurch got recognised and we got nothing for what we had to put up with."

Volunteers and paid staff had gone beyond the call of duty and assisted at the scene for six days, he said.

"It was one of the things we hope never happens again - you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy.

"It was hard on the brigade."

The crash was the worst incident he had attended.

Although plenty of support and counselling had been provided afterwards, it had deeply affected all those involved, he said.

He hoped receiving the awards would provide some closure, he said. "There's been a bit of recognition given, finally ... this is the final chapter - but we are never going to forget about it."

The certificates will be presented on Thursday.

The ceremony will be attended by Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne and senior members of the New Zealand Fire Service.