Brigade faces challenge of finding more wrecks

WRECKS STILL WANTED: Richard Epplett, Carterton Fire Brigade senior station officer, is still wanting car wrecks for use in training a first-time Road Crash Rescue Challenge team in the town.PHOTO/FILE

Community goodwill has landed several car wrecks at the door of the Carterton Volunteer Fire Brigade for their debut bid at the Road Crash Rescue Challenge competition.

Senior station officer Richard Epplett last month told the Wairarapa Times-Age the six members of the newly formed rescue squad were aiming to compete at the Region 1 & 2 Road Crash Rescue Challenge at Silverdale in November.

In the wake of the story, the team were given two wrecks to be sold to buy contest equipment such as tool belts, spring-loaded centre punches and medical scissors, he said, and four wrecks that would be "dismembered" in training.

"We really appreciate the wrecks that have been donated so far.

"Four cars will be used for cutting up and two were donated for us to sell and buy the specialised equipment," he said.

Mr Epplett said the wrecks would be used judiciously, although "sooner or later they get cut up and they're gone" and the team still needed more wrecks ahead of their competition bid.

"We use them as best we can but we really need a constant flow of wrecks because they all eventually end up only good for the wreckers."

The firefighters are happy pick up any donated vehicle themselves as long as the wreck has wheels and is able to be moved, he said.

Anybody wanting to donate a car wreck can call Richard Epplett at 06 379 6548.