Funeral procession of Stanislav (Stan) Hejl, long-serving Turangi Fire Brigade member. Photo/Supplied
Funeral procession of Stanislav (Stan) Hejl, long-serving Turangi Fire Brigade member. Photo/Supplied
Retired veteran Turangi firefighter Stanislav Hejl - known to everyone as Stan - regarded the Turangi Fire Station as his second home and was loved like a family member by the local firefighting crew.
The 84-year-old died in Taupo last Thursday following a brief illness. In a first for the brigade and as testimony to his contribution to the fire service, Stan lay in state last weekend at the fire station he had loved so well, to allow people to pay their last respects.
He was farewelled in style last Monday at a service at the fire station.
Stan's distinctive 1970s orange ute then headed a procession of emergency service vehicles through the town to his home and back to the fire station, where firefighting comrades farewelled him for the final time with a guard of honour.
Turangi Fire Brigade chief fire officer Tangonui Kingi said it was a fitting tribute to a much-loved member of the brigade.
Turangi Fire Brigade members load the coffin of long-serving firefighter Stanislav (Stan) Hejl onto the back of his distinctive orange ute. Photo/Supplied
"It was a real tear jerker. We usually hear the siren in times of need, but in this instance it was powerful, different and very moving."
Stan retired from station duties two years ago in his early 80s after more than half a decade of service, but remained a regular at Tuesday training nights until he was hospitalised recently due to ill health.
The dedicated firefighter was honoured with a rare double gold star in October 2013 and made a life member of the brigade after 50 years service. Although he retired from active duty in 2003, he continued as a member of the brigade for the next 12 years, doing a range of station duties until he formally retired two years ago.
He remained a non-operational member of the brigade until his death.
Stan joined the Ministry of Works industrial fire brigade in Mangakino in 1962 in his early 20s while working on the hydro scheme with his Czech-born father, who was a cabinet maker.
STALWART: Turangi fireman Stan Hejl with the double gold star for 50 years service that was presented to him in 2013.
When a fire engine at Mangakino was damaged on a job, Stan and his father were employed to rebuild the vehicle and the fire chief at the time, Lloyd Dennis, visited the workshop regularly to check up on progress.
He kept asking Stan to join the fire brigade, and in the end Stan agreed, although he was worried his English wasn't up to the task.
After transferring to a job with the MOW in Turangi he joined the-then Tongariro Industrial Fire Brigade which was run by the MOW from a small garage in the town centre.
In an interview in 2013 when he received his long service medal, Stan said at times the firefighting force in Turangi was a bit like the League of Nations with all sorts of nationalities represented.
Most members were also qualified tradespeople which Stan said came in very handy for a number of projects like construction of the social room.
"'We had plumbers, electricians and cabinet makers and didn't need to employ anyone to do the work."
In those days the firefighters were paid for each call out they went on and attended everything from forest and scrub fires to some major accidents on the Desert Road and a few house fires.
There was no fancy hydraulic equipment or cutting gear and everything had to be done by hand.
Stan said the best part about his brigade involvement was the comradeship from being part of a team and the feeling of doing something worthwhile for the community. Stan is survived by brother George Hejl, sister-in-law Margaret, three nieces and two nephews.
