News Story
One of our former members, Rodney Foster, was this weekend presented with a Gold Star for 25 years' service. In fact, he received additional Gold Bars to the medal, signifying a total of 33 years, served at Kamo Volunteer Fire Brigade, Auckland Fire Police, Pines Beach/Kairaki Rural Fire Force and with his current brigade, Kaiapoi, where the function was held. Our brigade was represented at the ceremony by Chief Fire Officer, Glenn Teal, and Deputy, Ric Carlyon who, on behalf of the United Fire Brigades' Association, presented Rodney with his awards. Ric remarked that Rodney's Gold Star is unique, representing service in 3 different entities - Volunteer Fire Brigades, in a Volunteer Fire Police Unit, and in a Volunteer Rural Fire Force administered by a Local Authority. "I don't believe any other Gold Star holder will be able to achieve this again... no one can belong to a Fire Police Unit anymore and after changes in July there won't be any Rural Fire Forces administered as they are today", Ric said, "thus Rodney is the last Gold Star holder to have served in all three arms of fire services in New Zealand as we have known them". Waimakariri Mayor, the local MP and Canterbury Fire Service executives were among dignitaries attending. C.F.O. Glenn Teal observed that Rodney had been in Auckland Fire Police from the mid-1980s during a time of reform and when the Unit was very busy with numerous, and regular, Greater Alarms. Glenn made a presentation on behalf of Auckland Operational Support
