News Story
Wet weather over the weekend was brushed aside as members attended the annual two-day exercises based at Region 1's Training Centre at Mt. Wellington. The weather mattered this weekend because the accent was on instruction in protecting member's safety while undertaking traffic management, with practicals held out on the road. Routines included setting up and maintaining hose-ramps in busy suburban streets, alternating traffic (Stop - Go) around a fire incident and point duty. For the last exercise traffic lights were turned off at several busy intersections and members were put through their paces in the middle of the road, directing traffic. Nervousness among newer members soon gave way to an increasing confidence, successfully controlling and directing traffic flows. "The weekend provided essential tuition for recent recruits and worthwhile revision for longer-serving members," says Chief Fire Officer Glenn Teal, "because at almost every call we attend there's an element of managing traffic".
