Volunteer firefighter leading by example

Jeff Popata receiving the Kaitaia Fire Brigade's Firefighter of the Year trophy from Dot Houghton, whose late husband Terry was a long-serving CFO.

Jeff Popata is a relatively new member of the Kaitaia Volunteer Fire Brigade, but his enthusiasm and reliability have been rewarded with the title of 2016 Firefighter of the Year.

Firefighter Popata received the Terry Houghton Memorial Trophy, named in memory of the long-serving chief fire officer, from Mr Houghton's widow Dot.

Chief Fire Officer Colin Kitchen said Mr Popata lived at Awanui, which wasn't the most convenient location for a brigade member.

"He turns up to every call though," he said.

"Often the first appliance will have gone by the time he gets there, so he'll be aboard the second one, or take out the water tanker."

He had undergone training in a range of fields, including pump operating and emergency response driving, and was a regular attendee at working bees.

"He's there all the time," Mr Kitchen added.

"He might be one of our newer members but he sets a good example."