Fire crew out to enlist dedicated volunteers

Norsewood volunteer firefighters, new recruits and family attend last Saturday's open day.

Are you willing to make a commitment to your community and be prepared to give your time as a volunteer?

If the answer is yes, the Norsewood Volunteer Fire Brigade is looking to recruit you, fire chief Terence Ahern says.

With 13 members and one recruit in training, Mr Ahern said he'd like another couple of members.

"We've had 12 calls for the year so far, which is a busy start for us, with a few callouts to rural fires and, of course, accidents on State Highway 2, having kept us busy over the past couple of weeks."

Members of the Norsewood and Ormondville brigades also helped fight this week's fires in Hawke's Bay.

Keen to recruit new members, the Norsewood brigade held an open day last Saturday, while at the same time spreading the fire-safety message.

"Being part of a volunteer brigade like this is rewarding, not just because you're out there doing it for your community, but through comradeship," Mr Ahern said.

Although it is a volunteer brigade in name, Norsewood, along with other local volunteer brigades, received accolades for the way it handled a recent double-fatality truck accident on State Highway 2 north of the town.

"St John ambulance staff reported how professional we'd been, commenting it had been one of the most professionally handled incidents they'd been to," Mr Ahern said.

So what does it take to step up as a volunteer firefighter?

Amy Domper, a mother, told the Dannevirke News that having a supportive family was vital.

"Sometimes I'm gone for 12 hours so I'm lucky to have a supportive husband who takes over," she said.

"He's proud to do it because I'm out helping the community."

Amy is one of three women in the brigade and Mr Ahern said having a well-balanced brigade was important.

"Being a volunteer is enjoyable and it's always good when you've been to an incident and have had the opportunity to help people," he said.

"We're not isolated; with a lot of good support from the Fire Service in Hawke's Bay, along with good relationships with neighbouring brigades at Dannevirke, Ormondville and Takapau.

"Our brigade depends on understanding and supportive families, while local employers and the self-employed play a huge part, too."

On-going training is important for the volunteers and Jorden Seerden is going through the recruitment process, which can take between six and 12 months.

"Being a brigade member can give young people life skills as they move up through the ranks," Mr Ahern said.

Locals, including Lyn McConchie, called into the open day to show their support and learn more about the work the volunteers do in the community.

"I'm just here to buy some raffles to support the brigade," Ms McConchie said.

"How fortunate we are now to have properly organised volunteer firefighters, not like in 1888."

On March 16, 1888, a fire, driven by gale-force winds, spread through the Norsewood district, destroying everything in its path.

Much of Norsewood disappeared in the inferno.