Cavalli brigade swings back in instant action

From left, Hadley Todd, Richard Kool, fire chief Henry Kool, principal fire officer Myles Taylor, Dale Himiona, Aaron Puke and deputy chief Marty Hawkins. PICTURE/DEBBIE BEADLE

A crucial rural fire brigade which closed down at Matauri Bay two years ago helped save a house from a rogue grass fire just days after it was reinstated.

The Cavalli Rural Fire Party was disbanded in 2013 for various reasons, including a drop in volunteer numbers.

After a year of training, a new and reinvigorated fire party held its first training night on November 4. Four days later the volunteers were called on to help save a Wainui Rd house from a fire sparked by a tractor's mower blade.

Deputy principal rural fire officer Clinton Lyall said the Cavalli crew's absence for two seasons in a high-fire-risk area had been tough on the neighbouring Kaeo and Kerikeri brigades.

CALLOUT: This fire, on Wainui Road near Tauranga Bay on November 8, was the first call-out for the reinstated Cavalli Rural Fire Party. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF

"They're a crucial brigade so it put a lot of pressure on other brigades and on their community, but they've come back stronger than ever. They're a really good, young, fit, keen group," Mr Lyall said.

"From a Fire Authority perspective we're over the moon with the quality and dedication of these guys."

Mr Lyall said the eight volunteers, with two more ready to sign up, had not been given an easy ride. They had been trained and mentored for the past year by Department of Conservation firefighter Alan McRae - brother of the late William McRae, who died in a helicopter rescue mission during a major fire on Karikari Peninsula - who was known for his high standards.

"But they've stuck with it and they can be proud of their accomplishments. They're showing good professionalism and a really good attitude. They have the potential to be the best bloody rural fire force in the region - and that would be no mean feat, because Pukenui and Rawhiti are also very good."

The Cavalli Rural Fire Party has one Mitsubishi fire appliance and is responsible for the Matauri Bay Rd-Wainui Rd loop from State Highway 10 south of Kaeo up to Whangaroa and back to SH10.

The Far North's rural fire parties come under Northern Rural Fire Authority - formed by a merger of council, DoC and forestry fire crews - and are separate from the Fire Service's urban brigades. They include Wekaweka, Kaikohe, Rawhiti, Cavalli, Karikari, Rangiputa, Taupo Bay and Pukenui rural fire parties.

The Cavalli firefighters meet at their Wainui Rd station for training every Wednesday from 6pm. New members are welcome.