Helping hands in times of need

Sodden socks. Soaked shoes. Wringing-wet uniform. It wasn't your average shift for Mount Maunganui Senior Sergeant Duncan McLeod, who found himself wading through waist-deep flood water on Wednesday night to evacuate families from their homes.
Mr MacLeod was one of hundreds of professional and volunteer emergency services staff who worked into the night to ensure the safety of our community.
After more than 18 hours on the job, Mr MacLeod hung up his soggy uniform and went home. His story was just one of many that could be told by numerous emergency staff.
"It was amazing how everyone banded together. Neighbours were helping each other and the emergency services all came together and worked like clockwork.
"When mother nature throws her best at you, everyone comes together."
Mr MacLeod started his shift at 6.30am on Wednesday and finally knocked off at 1am on Thursday.
His head had barely hit the pillow before he was back on the beat again at 6.30am.
"I definitely wasn't the only one who did a long shift. There were plenty of officers out there doing 18 to 20 hour shifts. Everyone was really appreciative of the help we offered."
On Wednesday Mr MacLeod evacuated pensioners from flats, cordoned collapsing highways and waded through flooded Papamoa streets in darkness - all while the rain continued to pour.
Police, fire service, St John and the army banded together when a state of emergency was declared.
For Station Officer Lindsay Nicol, seeing the flood devastation during his 38-hour shift left a lasting impression.
"The thing that effected me was the tragic loss for people personally, seeing their houses destroyed or flooded. It was hard. I think it was extremely lucky no-one was killed, especially with all the slips."
The flooding got personal when Mr Nicol's Otumoetai home was cordoned off and his wife evacuated after the property was deemed unsafe.
Mr Nicol was able to collect some clothing and take his wife to the fire station, where she spent Wednesday night.
"I'm always sympathetic to people caught in these sorts of situations, but this time it had a personal touch for me."
Fellow firefighter Sam Murdie also had a busy 24 hours.
"It was just going from call to call, but in most cases there wasn't much we could do because there was nowhere to pump water," she said.
Additional firefighting crews poured in to help out, with about 18 appliances struggling to keep up with the huge demand for help.
"I've never seen it like that before. Everyone was really great when we turned up, even if we couldn't help."
Volunteers from Papamoa Fire Service took several days off work this week to man two fire appliances and help their flooded community.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dennis Warner said his team had "pulled finger and really put in a good effort".
"Everyone is pretty upbeat. The hardest thing is seeing water going into people's homes. We just can't stop that."
In his 31-year career in the Papamoa brigade, the flooding was the worst he had seen.
"The people have been pretty damn good and understanding no matter how long it has taken us to get there."
A six-strong team of Omokoroa Volunteer firefighters were called to Tauranga as a "dry-crew" to attend all other emergencies other than flooding.
But they soon were called to houses slipping off foundations in Otumoetai.
"I was shocked by the landslides that took out the houses. The guys were absolutely amazed at the amount of water," Chief Fire Officer Ian Blunt said.
They swung into action and began evacuating homes.
Once a state of emergency was declared, extra reinforcements from the army were called in to help.
Captain John O'Reilly, of the 6th Hauraki Battalion Group, said once the call went out to members they rallied at the Tauranga base.
Thirty-four men and women helped police evacuate hundreds of residents.
"Full credit to employers who have allowed them to carry out their duties and credit to those who have been involved. They have to juggle jobs and families and have committed themselves without question," Mr O'Reilly said.
Warrant Officer Lou Taikato left his fisheries uniform at home and donned camouflage gear when he volunteered to help evacuate residents.
"You don't expect this sort of thing in Tauranga. It's meant to happen in the Coromandel and down south, not here."
But when the call went out for help he responded.
"It was amazing to see families on the move at Papamoa. just moving out with their kids and what they could grab."
No one has been injured in the Western Bay during the flooding but St John members were ready for action, as well as carrying out their daily work.
Western Bay of Plenty area manager Jeremy Gooders said St John staff had been put on stand-by in case there was a flood-related medical emergency.
Two extra ambulances from Matamata and Cambridge were also brought in to help.