Our fire team is ready to respond
Large or multiple fires can stretch Fire and Emergency volunteer resources - that’s when our very own fire team steps in.
From Kainga to the front line
The team is led by Simon Woods, Principal Ranger in the Parks team, and is made up of 18 kaimahi, mainly based at the Kainga depot. They are on-call to support Fire and Emergency New Zealand when there’s a fire on land we manage, including the regional parks and forests, or when they need extra support on other fires.
For example, in the 2017 Port Hills fire, the team was on the ground for 17 days. Most years, they attend one or two external fires the latest was in July downstream of the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge.
The work is complex, and Simon is proud of the professional job the team does, even though it’s not their full-time job. “We’re trained and ready to back up Fire and Emergency when they call for extra support - whether that’s relieving some of their team during a longer event or coming in afterwards to manage the hotspots.”
Fire team members in action during November’s fire drill
Staying ready with training and equipment
Dressing up in full firefighting gear on a hot day isn’t ideal, but the fire team did it last month anyway. It’s all part of staying prepared as summer approaches and fire risk rises across the region.
Last month’s drill was part of the teams’ Fire Preparedness and Safety training programme, ensuring training and development remains up to date, facilitated through NZQA standards in partnership with Fire and Emergency.
There's a fire engine ready to respond at the depot, plus diggers, hoses, spades and even a “smoke chaser” vehicle (normally used for river work) to manage hot spots - especially in those strong Nor’west winds and high temperatures over summer. Regular audits, and systematic checks of all equipment ensures everything is fully stocked, operational, and ready for immediate deployment.
Keep yourself and the community safe this summer: Fire danger can change fast, so make sure you know the rules and risks before heading outdoors. Visit checkitsalright.nz for simple steps to keep our communities safe.