Burning passion for his job . . . but time to retire for firefighting veteran

Going fishing . . . Dave Covell plans to be reeling in fish rather than a hose after retiring following 36 years as a firefighter. Dave, who was officially farewelled at the weekend, was described as one of the most outstanding members of the Fire and Emergency Gisborne team. He started firefighting as a volunteer in 1987 and became a professional at the Gisborne fire station in 1996. He has been involved in several major fire incidents over the years and was heavily involved with training across Tairāwhiti and in Hawke’s Bay. Surfcasting, travel and spending more time with his children will keep him busy in his retirement years. Picture by Liam Clayton

When 36-year senior firefighter Dave Covell made his retirement speech last weekend he thanked his mates for their comradeship and Fire and Emergency NZ for the opportunity to serve his community.

The 68-year-old veteran reckoned it was time to retire.

He joined the New Zealand Fire Service as a volunteer on January 19, 1987, then spent some time in Gisborne before joining Te Puia Fire Brigade as a volunteer in 1988.

Mr Covell had taken up a role as roading manager for the Waiapu County Council, based in Te Puia Hot Springs.

He served there until 1993 when he came back to Gisborne to work as roading manager for Eastworks, and volunteered for Gisborne Fire Brigade.

On August 26, 1996, he joined the “permanent” paid staff at the Gisborne Fire Station, where he remained until his recent retirement.

“As a volunteer I had felt I was making a difference for the community, and that’s why I joined the permanents.

“I’ve really enjoyed all my time in the fire service but I felt now was the time to retire.”

Asked about major fire incidents he recalls over the years, he pointed to the string of arsons on Kaiti Hill in the late 1990s, and to the major fire on Titirangi in mid-January 2014 when parts of the hill erupted in flames.

The fire threatened homes on sections of the hill and took five helicopters and dozens of fire service and rural firefighters several hours to fully extinguish. Dense clouds of smoke covered the city.

“That one had the potential to go really bad,” Dave said. “There was a lot of work involved in putting it out.”

He also recalled a serious fire at Weatherell Transport a few years ago.

“It was one of those fires that just kept on going.”

Fire safety education was the part of his job that Dave enjoyed the most.

“Fireman Dave’s Fire Safety Tips” regularly featured in The Herald.

He ran school programmes and the fire service displays at the Spring Show for years.

“All that was incredibly rewarding. I remember one year at the Show we won the award for best display and the prize plaque was handed to me by All Blacks Ma Nonu and the late Jerry Collins. That was special.”

Dave also spent 12 years helping to train the region’s volunteer firefighters from across Tairāwhiti and in Hawke’s Bay.

“I would have been involved in the training of 200 to 300 of them.

“You know you have made a difference when you see the lift in the confidence levels for recruit firefighters.

“That work also came with a real sense of satisfaction.”

Overall, Dave said his firefighting career had been one the best careers in terms of job satisfaction.

“I will miss the debates, the banter and the camaraderie with my mates.

“I’ve enjoyed it hugely, so much so I think I’ve pretty much always had a smile on my face.”

He greatly appreciated the support of wife Theresa throughout his career.

The couple have three adult children — Anna, Anthony and Joseph.

Dave intends to spend more time with them, do some woodturning and get in lots of surfcasting, combined with more travel around New Zealand.

“It’s time to slow down . . . yeah, right.”

Senior Station Officer Bernie Bull said Dave had been one of the most outstanding members of the FENZ Gisborne team in regard to his work ethic and competence as a firefighter.

“Dave was also an outstanding trainer and ran our promotions department so well.

“He imparted a lot of knowledge to our new professional and volunteer firefighters.

“He will be missed.”