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28 December 2013
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Stop-Go management. The skittled posts, the upturned vehicle outside the hospital.
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document.write("Serious motor accidents early this morning blocked direct access for traffic from the city to both Auckland International Airport and to South Auckland's major hospital. The South-Eastern Motorway was closed to south-bound traffic at Walmsley Road meaning a detour for all motorists on their way to the airport from the city. At the same time members were called to the other serious crash, blocking access to Middlemore Hospital. A vehicle had left the approach road to the hospital, mounted the footpath, skittled a row of posts, overturned and skidded on its roof across the road on to the opposite footpath. The driver was taken the short distance across the forecourt to the hospital. Members later put in Stop-Go traffic management much to the relief of Middlemore staff- members, out-patients, buses and visitors. ");
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25 December 2013
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document.write("Father Christmas wasn't the only one on an urgent mission overnight - in the early hours of today fire-fighters dealt with an outbreak in one of South Auckland's biggest factories. The small blaze, centred in machinery, caused heavy smoke-logging throughout the massive Visy plant, triggering a Second Alarm. Once the fire was out it was a waiting game for the smoke to clear which took several hours. Members who responded had all hopes dashed of witnessing the annual phenomenon of reindeer and a sleigh in the sky: disappointingly, a gathering cloud base evidently hid the spectacle. Merry Christmas! ");
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15 December 2013
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Today's factory fire near Wharf Road, Te Atatu
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document.write("Fire in burning wooden pallets which spread to a nearby building is being blamed for this afternoon's major 3rd alarm blaze at Te Atatu. 10 hours later, and fire-fighters are tonight still on the scene putting out hot-spots in the fertiliser factory. Some firefighters had to be decontaminated after they came into contact with chemicals, while Council officials are in the area checking storm-water drains in case of pollution in run-off from the fire-damaged factory. Members provided traffic management, security and fireground duties while those staffing the mobile canteen were kept extra busy rehydrating fire-fighters working on one of the hottest days of summer so far. ");
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12 December 2013
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Scene of this morning's fatal accident at Waimauku
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document.write("Members responded to a fatal motor accident this morning in Waimauku between a train and a vehicle. It occurred on an unsignaled railway level crossing on Joyce Adams Place near where it connects with State Highway 16. The northbound empty log train collected the vehicle, shunting it off the road and into a ditch beside the Highway. SH16 was closed for several hours while emergency services stabilised the situation, recovered the driver's body and while police completed their investigations. And just as this incident was being cleared, other members went to a persons reported, K99, house fire in Favona. ");
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9 December 2013
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CFO Glenn Teal presents the certificate to Ray Coleman
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document.write("At its last meeting for the year the Brigade tonight honoured one of its former members who went on to a distinguished career in the Fire Service and recently retired. Ray Coleman served in the forerunner of Operational Support, the Volunteer Fire Police Corps, which he joined in 1970 responding from his home in Avondale. Ray then enlisted in the service fulltime and, after a period fire-fighting decided to focus on fire prevention and investigations. This lead to further specialisation and study in the USA, resulting in a formal intervention programme for young people involved in fire-setting and inappropriate fire-play. In 2004 he received the Queen's Service Medal in the Queen's Birthday Royal Honours list. Tonight Chief Fire Officer Glenn Teal, on behalf of the Brigade, presented Ray with a certificate honouring 40 years' service, just a tad late because his total volunteer and career service spanned 42 and a half years. ");
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7 December 2013
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... into the dairy, skipped the butcher's, ending up outside the liquor shop...
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document.write("A dairy in Remuera Road had an unexpected intruder this afternoon when a car crashed through the shop's front window. The driver lost control of her vehicle at the Bassett Road intersection, crossed lanes, mounted the footpath and smashed into the premises. The car then glanced along the shop-front, missing the butcher's, coming to rest against a traffic light standard outside the corner liquor shop. The out-of-control car also damaged a power plinth on the footpath. The driver was taken to hospital: members managed busy Saturday afternoon traffic in the vicinity while the car was recovered and the scene made safe. ");
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6 December 2013
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document.write("The announcement of Nelson Mandela's demise signals the passing of a staunch advocate of volunteerism. Considered South Africa's most exceptional citizen who became world-renowned, Mandela recognised the value volunteers make to society, inspiring them to action and championing their efforts. Asked what birthday present he wanted when he turned 95 the anti-apartheid icon said he wanted to share his gift, suggesting that charitable causes would benefit if everyone volunteered for a charitable cause. And across South Africa his wish was carried out as hundreds of thousands of volunteers engaged in countless community projects. Many, which began that day at Mandela's behest, will continue for decades to come. The United Nations, years ago, recognised International Nelson Mandela Day and suggested that, globally, people contribute 67 minutes' volunteered service to society, one minute for each of Nelson Mandela's years of political service. Haere, Madiba, friend of volunteers. Haere, haere, haere. ");
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30 November 2013
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Bellevue Rd blocked by potentially electrically-live tree, until rendered safe by contractors.
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document.write("Stormy weather has resulted in an increase in operational tempo for New Zealand Fire Service resources across the region. In Mt Eden, Operational Support were called to ensure the safety of the public when a large tree, aided by strong wind gusts, split itself nearly down the middle. Neighbours reported a loud creaking noise that sounded like 'the next-door house losing its second story'! The tree was in the property of the St Barnabas Anglican Church on the corner of Mt Eden Rd and Bellevue Road, and power lines downed by the sizable piece of timber not only posed an immediate danger to passers-by, but caused live wires to land on several parked motor vehicles. One of these was substantially damaged by rigging pulled down from a nearby power pole, but fortunately the tree caused no other damage to people or property. Members of our brigade ensured the scene was safe until the arrival of Vector and their traffic management contractors. ");
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29 November 2013
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Lane Closure and barricades: had passersby guessing
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document.write("This morning members are engaged in the second emergency traffic management in as many days. Today's call was to Queen Street, downtown, where an underground power cable is sparking as traffic passes over the roadway above. Passing motorists and bystanders were curious about our presence and the partial road closure because no emergency was apparent: all the action was happening beneath the cobbles. Yesterday's call in Mount Albert required closure of west-bound traffic on busy St Lukes Road following a motor vehicle accident with associated cardiac arrest. Members took control of 4 major intersections for several hours while police made their investigations. ");
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24 November 2013
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Results of the Point Chevalier house fire
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document.write("It wasn't until the early hours of Sunday that members concluded what started out as a very busy Saturday. There were four working calls. Mid-morning, multiple 111 phone calls from Wainui Avenue in Point Chevalier signalled a house fire: the blaze apparently started while contractors were refuelling a petrol-driven water blaster. There was an off-road scrub fire in Whenuapai and, early evening, a request to assist at Te Atatu Road where 2 cars had collided, one hitting a power plinth causing a flash-over. Later in the evening members responded in 2 vehicles, one the mobile canteen, to another off-road fire in bush at Bombay. It was after midnight when they returned to the city. Our appliance rostered for Northern calls, OS2, started out to a house fire in the Wellsford district but was not required ");
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22 November 2013
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The crashed car in the middle of Tamaki Drive
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document.write("The driver of a car received serious injuries in this afternoon's crash attended by the Brigade on Tamaki Drive, Parnell, The car and a van, travelling in opposing directions, hit each other a glancing blow leaving the occupant of the car trapped and injured. Fire-fighters extricated the patient while our members sorted out traffic management on the busy waterfront drive, one of the main corridors to and from the city. The crash left the vehicles and debris in the middle of the road which, with careful management, allowed members to create narrowed, kerbside lanes to keep two-way traffic flowing. The Police Serious Crash Unit is investigating the cause. ");
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21 November 2013
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document.write("At the recent annual conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association (hosted by Auckland Operational Support), a video outlining our unique manner of operation was launched and viewed for the first time by delegates and brigade members alike. Now it's online, for your viewing pleasure.
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10 November 2013
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Conference in session: delegates thanked the Host Brigade
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document.write("The 2013 United Fire Brigades' Conference ended this afternoon and delegates from throughout the country are returning home. On behalf of all those attending Conference, Association President Bryan Styles thanked our Brigade for most successfully hosting the event. Delegates and partners were especially appreciative of Friday night's gathering, including a grand entrance and welcome by all our members. And last night\"s \"trail\", when members guided attendees from their hotel through city streets to the dinner at Sky City, was widely commended. As part of Host duties, the Brigade also arranged transport to and from the airport, escorted those on the partners' programme and ensured visitors enjoyed their stay in Auckland. \"The Brigade can be very proud of its hospitality role this weekend looking after hundreds of Conference delegates, observers and partners\" says the Brigade's Chief Fire Officer, Glenn Teal, \"and at the same time making them all aware of Operational Support, our role, the services we provide and the value to our community\". ");
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10 November 2013
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Operational Support colours dominate at Welcome Dinner
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document.write("This weekend's annual United Fire Brigades' Conference got off to a friendly start when all those attending were given warm greetings from the entire Host Brigade, Auckland Operational Support. Decorations at the Welcome Dinner on Friday night comprised the brigade's branding: distinctive yellow jackets, blue helmets and traffic signs used at emergencies. The theatrical grand entrance by our members was applauded from the moment it began, followed by welcoming remarks from Chief Fire Officer Glenn Teal and a fast-moving video showcasing the Brigade and its activities. Then a surprise. The United Fire Brigades' Association formally acknowledged our 80th anniversary by presenting the brigade with a plaque and a certificate...and, less formally, with the presentation of a birthday cake. ");
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5 November 2013
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document.write("Preparations are well underway for this year's United Fire Brigades' Association conference, being held in Auckland, hosted by our brigade. More than 500 delegates and partners from fire brigades throughout the country are registered. The Rendezvous Grand Hotel in Mayoral Drive is headquarters for the 3 day event. The Brigade will be on hand at Auckland Airport to greet visitors on Friday morning and will stage a formal welcome to Auckland that night. Members are also accompanying delegates taking an educational tour of fire and security measures at Auckland Airport as well as arranging transport and assisting conference organisers. It's the first time Fire Police or Operational Support have, alone, hosted a UFBA Conference. ");
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3 November 2013
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document.write("Members today assisted with traffic management at the Auckland Marathon in which 17,000 runners and walkers took part. Members managed numerous intersections along Quay Street and Tamaki Drive between the CBD and Okahu Bay ensuring participants had the right of way and were safe as they completed the course. Among the 17,000 were those who dressed up. Darth Vader made a terrestrial appearance, both an elephant and a rhino plodded along the route and then there were soldiers, being themselves, complete with heavy military back-packs. Our members attended to a few runners with cramp and exhaustion. Today's duties were a fundraiser for the Brigade. Later in the day there were two callouts at the same time... to a road accident with serious injury involving a bus and a car in New Lynn and a second alarm bush fire on the outskirts of Helensville. ");
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30 October 2013
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document.write("There's always one! Members managed thousands of vehicles around road blocks they put in after the South-bound motorway On Ramp to SH 20 was closed yesterday following the capsize of a trailer containing 20 tonnes of rubbish. Over the 5 hours that members managed the cordons some 14,000 vehicles were diverted. Among them there was one, a beaten up station waggon, at the head of the queue and whose driver would not budge, further delaying the tailback along Neilsen Street. The driver was strongly advised to move on, and he did, proceeding straight through the cones into the no-go closed area. Quickly stopped, it was plain the driver was affected by alcohol. The vehicle had neither number plates nor warrant of fitness - no windscreen in fact - and had wheels that didn't match. Every panel was damaged. Police escorted the driver from the scene. The car had been taken from nearby Waikaraka Park, home of stock car racing. All 13,999 other vehicles, many of them trucks, safely negotiated the cordons. ");
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29 October 2013
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The overturned trailer and the trail of rubbish blocking the roadway
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document.write("Today's long-duration call in streets leading to the Onehunga On Ramp for SH20 was really about a load of rubbish. A truck and trailer unit carrying household rubbish went out of control negotiating the Southbound On Ramp. The trailer struck the guard rail, bounced off, overturned, spilling some of its 20 tonne load, strewn across the roadway. Members closed surrounding rstreets and took up point duty at 4 intersections to clear an initial backlog, then maintained traffic management for 5 hours while the vehicle was salvaged and the road cleared of the smelly rubbish. Among motorists inconvenienced were those heading to the Airport. A detour was signposted. ");
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27 October 2013
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document.write("There were responses to 3 house fires, all at the same time, in Auckland overnight. All 3 badly damaged the dwellings and the first, in Western Springs, escalated to a 2nd Alarm when reinforcements were called to assist fire-fighting and because it was believed someone could be missing in the blaze. It turned out to be a suspicious fire - members strengthened cordons - and fire investigators and police were quickly on the scene. At the same time fire ripped through a house in Mangere. Just as soon as members arrived on the scene there was a further call to another house on fire in adjacent suburb, Papatoetoe, to which Brigade resources were mobilised from the first fire in Western Springs. 4 major house fires (the other was in Helensville) within 24 hours is something of a record in recent times. ");
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26 October 2013
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document.write("We've maintained our usual turnout rate this week, at better than one callout a day. And some have been major events. Tuesday afternoon, and members closed one of Auckland's busiest arterial roads in Epsom after a serious motor accident. 11 personnel turned out to the mid-afternoon call, 3 of whom left to respond to a house well alight in Albany. Thursday, late afternoon, and, members attended a 2nd alarm building fire in Remuera near the intersection with Broadway in Newmarket, also a very busy road (more than 14,000 vehicle movements per day). 14 members made themselves available, most involved in traffic management, especially when an aerial appliance was deployed, blocking more than half Remuera Road. Today the Brigade turned out to calls both North and South of the city. This morning's fire in Helensville severely damaged a house and left its elderly occupant suffering the effects of smoke inhalation. And this afternoon's call to Pukekohe East Road turned into a long duration job where members assisted police while they investigated a serious-injury accident between a car and a fire appliance. ");
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22 October 2013
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Usually busy Mt Albert Road is deserted, awaiting investigations to begin.
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document.write("Members were called to a persons trapped motor vehicle accident mid-afternoon on Mt Albert Road, Epsom, which is one of Auckland's busiest West-East arterial routes. Traffic was at first managed down to one lane in either direction, allowed past the incident - but when it became a serious crash incident the busy road was closed. Members staffed two major intersections on Mt Albert Road to effect the closure, at Hillsborough Road and at Pah Road. There was also a block put in at Buckley Road so that all evidence was preserved pending investigation. As these measures were being put in place there was a second call to a house fire at Albany on the North Shore. A small team left in OS1 to attend. They too were involved in traffic management, as well as fireground duties. The third call occurred when, just as the vehicles were being salvaged at the Mt Albert Road accident, a woman pulled up at the scene explaining she was in need of medical attention, experiencing a severe asthma attack with allergy complications. An ambulance was called and she was taken to hospital. ");
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22 October 2013
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document.write("One of our former members, long-time fire-fighter and veteran fire investigator, Ray Coleman, has retired after 42 years in the fire service. Actuallly it's 43 years-plus, if the time is counted that he spent as a member of our unit, then the Auckland Volunteer Fire Police Corps. Ray was a member in 1970, holding Constable's Warrant Card Number 20, turning out from his home in Avondale. After joining the fire service full-time and years of operational fire-fighting, he specialised in fire safety and prevention. In 1991 Ray collaborated with psychiatrists to inaugurate a ground-breaking programme to provide a formal intervention service for young people involved in fire-setting and inappropriate fire-play. This became today's successful, nation-wide, Fire Awareness and Intervention Programme (FAIP). Ray won a scholarship to further study juvenile fire-setting on a visit to the USA and in 2004 he received the Queen's Service Medal in the Queen's Birthday Royal Honours list. ");
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11 October 2013
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Escaping gas changed to a water hazard in Blockhouse Bay Road
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document.write("Motorists have been aware of road works around Wolverton Street/Blockhouse Bay Road/Tiverton Road in Avondale for many months, but this afternoon there were other reasons for the road to be blocked, and later, down to one lane. Mid-afternoon a 32mm gas main ruptured in an excavation trench: risk of explosion or fire meant busy Blockhouse Bay Road had to be closed. Members assisted with road blocks until the gas pipe was repaired, but before the road could be fully opened a 150mm water pipe in the same trench was broken. So instead of clouds of gas, jets and torrents of water now caused a hazard. Members and police rearranged traffic management to reduce Blockhouse Bay to south-bound traffic only. Evening peak-hour traffic meant there was some congestion until the \"gusher\" was turned off and two-way traffic could be resumed.
And in a further development, members were responded back to the same intersection late tonight to assist with a motor vehicle accident. ");
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10 October 2013
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The car, which police say was stolen, embedded into the house at Otara.
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document.write("Our members today responded twice to a motor accident in Otara where a car ploughed into a house killing the 16 year old driver, wrecking the vehicle and severely damaging the dwelling. The Subaru slammed into the foundations causing the main bedroom to collapse on the car. Members first went to the Alexander Crescent call at half past four this morning and remained for 3 hours assisting at the scene while police made their investigations. Then, later in the morning with emergency workers still at the scene, members returned to provide refreshments for the long-duration event. Operational Support personnel gave the 'all clear'¯ at noon. ");
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8 October 2013
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Tornado aftermath in Devonport: debris hanging in power lines
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document.write("Described by residents as a short, sharp mini-tornado, sudden strong winds in Devonport early this evening left a trail of destruction in a few streets centred on Vauxhall Road. Houses lost roofing iron and tiles, debris was widespread, power lines snapped and a tree was uprooted. Members assisted with traffic and crowd control while other emergency workers made the suburb safe. ");
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8 October 2013
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document.write("Work continued long into the night to remove an overturned stock truck-and-trailer and a car on S.H.1 near Topuni. Members joined with colleagues from Silverdale and Whangarei/Kaipara to support recovery operations following a late afternoon accident that left one person with serious injuries, some 30 head of stock put down at the scene and the main highway closed for many hours. Two mobile cranes from Whangarei righted the overturned stock truck and salvaged the car which had been wedged between the tractor and trailer units. The 3 teams of Operational Support personnel maintained inner cordons, provided lighting and, from the mobile canteen, served hot meals. ");
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7 October 2013
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document.write("For the first time, 3 separate Region 1 Operational Support Units have combined at a single event. Auckland, Silverdale, and Whangarei-Kaipara are tonight at the scene of a major accident, on State Highway 1 north of Wellsford.
The three units have combined to provide scene safety, lighting, traffic management and meals. SH1 was closed late afternoon after a stock truck and a car collided on bends near Topuni.
The driver of the car was severely injured, and Police have put down some 30 head of cattle, trapped in the wreckage of the overturned truck. Operations to salvage the truck-trailer will continue into the night, and the road will remain closed for the duration.
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28 September 2013
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Manukau Road, Epsom, blocked by this morning's multi-car smash
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document.write("For the second morning in a row one of the main access routes to Auckland Airport was blocked today. Yesterday George Bolt Drive in Mangere was closed after a major accident. Today it was a much shorter closure in Manukau Road, Epsom, after 5 cars were involved in a collision near Onslow Road. No serious injuries were reported. Members maintained road blocks on Manukau Road while police made enquiries and until all the vehicles could be removed. Additional management was provided in The Drive to assist traffic traverse detours. ");
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28 September 2013
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Aerial appliances honouring Kevin James Nickless' memory
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document.write("The late Kevin Nickless was the man to turn to when it came to servicing and fixing aerial fire appliances. There wasn't much about the workings of a turntable ladder, a Snorkel or an Aerialscope that Kevin didn't know about after years of working with these high-reach machines at the workshops in Otahuhu. So it was fitting that fire-fighters mounted their own salute to Kevin's long association with these specialist appliances when they arranged an elevated arch through which Kevin travelled as he made his Last Call. He died this week aged 56. Firefighters also formed a Guard of Honour outside the chapel before the service was held, led by our Brigade's Senior Station Officer, Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Rt Rev Ross Bay. ");
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18 September 2013
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document.write("The Brigade took the opportunity during its 80th birthday celebrations to formally thank members' employers who assist the brigade's mission - to respond to emergency calls at all times of the day and night. Most of the employers who were acknowledged allow their member-employees to turnout to calls during usual working hours, but some self-employed members extend this to availability for night-time and weekend callouts. The Fire Service's Area Manager, Kerry Gregory, presented certificates of appreciation to representatives of employers, and self-employed members, saying that release of these personnel for major calls is greatly valued by the Service to benefit the community. Those thanked at our 80th party were: Glenn Teal Consulting, Hydro Media Ltd, Kitchen Worx Ltd, Laidlaw College, Maximum Control Ltd, Telecom NZ, Traffic Management NZ, and Vehicle Testing NZ. The companies were also publicly acknowledged in an advertisement in the New Zealand Herald newspaper this week. ");
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16 September 2013
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Birthday Cake was served with refreshments after tonight's 80th AGM
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document.write("The Brigade's 80th Annual General Meeting was held tonight. As well as a special year in our history, Chief Fire Officer Glenn Teal told the Brigade the achievements over the last 12 months have added up to another stand-out 12 months. \"There are many activities, commitments and tasks that have to be done to sustain the 580 working incidents we attended last year\" he said, \"and in addition we have improvements and projects underway preparing for the future. And then there's the up-skilling of our people for a wider range of duties and the ongoing initiative to refresh the membership, with 13 new recruits this year on top of the 5 enrolled last year. The time and commitment given by you all on a voluntary basis\", CFO Teal told the members, \"is truly remarkable\". ");
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15 September 2013
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For the record: The Brigade lines up for an 80th brithday photo.
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document.write("The Brigade is marking a major milestone - 80 years of service to the community. The special guest at last night's anniversary dinner, Chairman of the New Zealand Fire Service Commission, Rt Hon Wyatt Creech, said that as he moves around the country he continues to be impressed with the extraordinary contribution made by volunteer fire brigades such as ours. \"I'm pleased to be here with you, our biggest volunteer unit,to help celebrate your 80th birthday\". Auckland Metropolitan Fire Police Corps was founded when 12 constables were sworn in to act alongside the Fire Brigade at major blazes. In their first year they responded to only a handful of fire calls, all within the CBD and inner suburbs, in their own cars, hitching a ride with friends or travelling on public transport. Today there are 60 members answering an average of 600 calls annually across a sprawling Greater Auckland deploying the Unit's urgent response vehicles. At last night's function Chief Fire Officer Glenn Teal said that it is remarkable these days for an organisation to endure and thrive for 80 years, still providing meaningful, value-added, services to the community. \"And\", he added, \"the Brigade is in great heart to continue for a long time to come. We have a bright future\". ");
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13 September 2013
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Fire-fighters work either side of the burning house to prevent fire-spread
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document.write("Tonight's fire swept through a house in Parkfield Terrace, Grafton, threatening to take out properties on either side. The 7pm blaze gutted the house and damaged 2 cars, one severely.Parkfield Terrace is a no exit street off Khyber Pass Road with houses built very close together so fire-fighters had their work cut out extinguishing the burning house and hosing down adjacent properties. The persistent fire was tackled with multiple deliveries, some from an aerial appliance with a jet directed straight into the building through sky-lights. Members closed the road, managed traffic on busy Khyber Pass Road, and assisted with crowd control, lighting and refreshments.
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13 September 2013
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Firefighters make roofing iron safe on the remains of the Glen Eden house.
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document.write("A large house in Glen Eden, fire pouring out every window, prompted a 3rd Alarm at 5.30 yesterday morning and for our members it turned out to be a long-duration job lasting until lunchtime, some 7 hours. 8 people escaped the blaze. Ironically working in heavy rain, fire-fighters used multiple deliveries to put the fire out which destroyed the house on West Coast Road, scorching trees in a nearby garden and damaging 6 vehicles parked in the grounds. Members maintained a road block at Glengarry Road, and, responding to the morning peak hour traffic build-up, opened West Coast Road to city-bound traffic by placing ramps over essential hoselines. Members also responded in the canteen. It was the 3rd callout for the brigade overnight, and in the course of the long job at Glen Eden there were 2 more calls.
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11 September 2013
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Six members took part in the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
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document.write("The Brigade again participated in this year's event, remembering those emergency services' personnel who died in the series of tragedies on 11th September 2001 in USA, and those fellow New Zealand fire-fighters who have died in the line of duty. Six members, SSO Ross Bay, SO Andrew Galloway, QFFs Hayden Chisnall, Nigel Hohaia, and Matt Walker along with RFFJonathan McKessar, took part, some completing the 26 floor climb (about 550 stairs) more than once. SSO Bay, as Anglican Bishop of Auckland, officiated at the ceremony while other members of the brigade provided event traffic management and scene protection. ");
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25 August 2013
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Firefighters damping hots spots, 3rd Alarm, Carmont Place.
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document.write("A third alarm was transmitted by fire-fighters dealing with a blaze that ripped through factory and warehouse premises in Mt Wellington's Carmont Place tonight. Members were involved in a range of tasks - traffic management, lighting, command and canteen unit duties, breathing apparatus re-commissioning, and salvage. The fire left one premises gutted, while next door the offices were damaged by heat, smoke and water. ");
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24 August 2013
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document.write("Members worked in dense fog while supporting emergency workers at this morning's fatal motor accident at Kumeu, north-west of Auckland. About 2.30am a van left the road and rolled on Old North Road killing a man and a woman, passengers, while the male driver was injured and taken to hospital. Members provided road closures at outer blocks until relieved by traffic management contractors, but remained at inner cordons while extrication and police investigations continued. The canteen was responded for the long-duration job - Operational Support stayed on the scene until 6.45am when the vehicle was recovered, debris cleared and the road re-opened. ");
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16 August 2013
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document.write("High winds and heavy winds were experienced in many parts of Auckland late this afternoon. Power wires came down, roofs dislodged, trees blown over and, in Newmarket, a giant sign was caught in a gust. Measuring some 10m by 5m the fabric sign, together with its wooden frame, was dislodged from scaffolding across the face of a building, crashing to the footpath and on to the roadway in Teed Street. Evening peak-hour traffic in Broadway was blocked by fire appliances in busy city-bound lanes and congestion quickly spread to neighbouring streets. Members managed to keep evening peak-hour traffic moving and closed off Teed Street until workmen removed debris and checked that the scaffolding had not been affected by the storm. Members responded at the same time to power lines down in Campbell Road, Greenlane, necessitating a road closure. ");
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11 August 2013
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document.write("One of the main access routes to and from the city and the airport was closed early this morning following a 2 car collision in Pah Road, Royal Oak. All 10 members who responded were fully occupied putting in, and maintaining, blocks at Mount Albert Road and at Trafalgar Street: both busy intersections. The latter was not only carrying traffic from the airport, the large congregation was arriving for services at the LDS church which was within the outer cordon. Arrangements were made for the church-goers. None of the occupants of the vehicles was seriously injured but the accident caused a large oil spill which was dealt with by Auckland Transport. ");
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24 July 2013
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document.write("We all have customers, the community, to serve. So how did our members meet our market-place last night? We were dealing with the people of Piha who couldn't get home because for 5 hours the only road into their coastal settlement was blocked by a serious motor accident. With no diversions possible, more than 100 vehicles were waiting on Scenic Drive for the road to Piha to re-open. We offered toilet facilities, courtesy of our colleagues, at nearby Waiatarua Fire Station. We consoled and waited at our road block with the girlfriend of one of the victims in the crash until the two were reunited. We put children in one car on health watch: they were on their way home from hospital following day-surgery. Equipment from our appliance was used to boil the billy: tea, coffee and biscuits were offered, roadside, to all those people waiting. And then there was the crew-member on last night's Air New Zealand flight to Hong Kong. We made special arrangements to get him home to Piha and then out again... some of his journey made on foot... in time for him to join his flight at Mangere. For those waiting we found \"lay-over\" parking for dozens of cars: we had them queued far into the hills up Quinns Road. We kept everyone up to date as far as possible with progress reports from the crash site and when the time came to re-open the road in stages they appreciated efforts to get them on their way, heading home, even if there were to be a few more short delays. Not a complaint voiced all night. We met our market.
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24 July 2013
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document.write("Members were involved in a long job in West Auckland overnight, closing Piha Road which was blocked by a two-car, head-on, crash. Our Brigade managed a closure on Scenic Drive where about 100 cars queued up awaiting the road to re-open. At the scene of the crash, well towards Piha, other members assisted staffing inner cordons and providing lighting. One occupant in the crash had to be cut from the wreckage and, in a serious conditiion, was taken to hospital by helicopter. Police then made their investigations, the debris was cleared and an oil spillage mopped up. The accident occurred just before 6.30pm... members re-opened the road in both directions and gave the \"all clear\" about 11.30 pm. The road is sole access to and from Piha, Karekare and coastal districts. ");
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17 July 2013
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document.write("The Brigade was involved in a long-duration job last night at one of the busiest intersections in West Auckland, the junction of Ash Street with Rosebank Road in Avondale. Ash Street provides the link with New Lynn and further West, Rosebank Road is a feeder to and from the motorway. Just before half past three a cement-delivery truck dropped its mixing bowl as it passed through the intersection. The obstruction clogged traffic. Members, assisting police, turned off the traffic lights and took over traffic management but the bowl with its 6 tonne load of solidifying cement was not so easily removed from the carriageway. A special low-load transporter capable of carrying the bowl and its contents had to be fetched to the scene, plus a crane to make the weighty lift. By now the evening peak hour had arrived and with some roads closed and others reduced to one lane there was considerable congestion: traffic patterns in the inner-West were altered more than somewhat: delays inevitable. Even after the bowl was finally removed workmen had to scoop up an estimated 2 tonnes of semi-dry cement that spilled on to the street. Members were engaged on-scene for 3 hours. ");
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16 July 2013
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document.write("The weekend began with members assisting on Friday night at Papakura Volunteer Fire Brigade's marathon fund-raiser and at the same time a group was en route to Northland to help at an Open Day/Recruiting Drive at Kaikohe. Auckland Operational Support members travelled north towing Variable Message Board trailers to help with traffic management on SH12 and local roads. The crew returned the same evening. Otherwise it was business as usual, members kept busy with four call-outs over the weekend, again illustrating the variety of emergencies dealt with : a hazard substance alert at Panmure, a persons-trapped motor vehicle accident at St Heliers, a warehouse fire at Mt Wellington and a persons-reported house fire in Mangere from which several occupants were taken to hospital suffering burns and smoke inhalation. ");
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12 July 2013
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document.write("Members are assisting tonight as Papakura Volunteer fire-fighters hit the treadmills, all in the name of charity. They will walk for 48 hours in full fire-fighting uniform to raise money to upgrade station equipment and to donate to the Burns Support Charitable Trust. They will be wearing full fire-fighters' kit on the trek, an extra 25kg. The event is tonight well underway at the Snap Fitness Gym, 226 Great South Road in Takanini and ends at noon on Sunday. Visitors are welcome to encourage the teams reach their targets: donations will also be most welcome. ");
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1 July 2013
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document.write("Members of our Brigade are tonight offering their collective condolences to the Prescott Fire Department, Arizona, and to the families, colleagues and friends of the 19 crew-members who died fighting the Yarnell Hill wild-fire. We salute those who have made the greatest sacrifice and share sympathies with, particularly, the elite Granite Mountain Inter-Agency Hotshot Crew, the specialist team that the 19 belonged to. ");
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30 June 2013
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document.write("It has been a busy weekend for the Brigade starting Friday night with a serious motor accident at Narrow Neck on the North Shore where a car collided with a power pole, ploughing into a fence and house. One person was trapped in the wreckage, another 3 injured. Early Saturday afternoon there was a response to a light plane crash near Helensville, but support services were not required. Early Saturday evening a power transformer in Mt Albert \"popped\" plunging the area, including a supermarket and a busy intersection, into darkness. Members took over traffic control for more than an hour until power was restored. Then, later in the evening, members combined forces with Silverdale Operational Support personnel at a house fire on Dairy Flat Highway. Although the burning building was well off the road, traffic management was required to give fire appliances uninterrupted access while, for more than 3 three hours, they ferried tankloads of water to the fire from Albany township. Just as this job was ending and the highway was being reopened there was a 3rd Alarm turnout to a shopping centre in Mt Wellington which necessitated road closures with hoses across Penrose Road. The blaze was contained. Sunday evening, and members were on the road again, this time to a house fire in Epsom which badly damaged first floor rooms. And just to cap off members' contributions over the weekend there was practical traffic management training for latest recruits at Mt Wellington on both days. ");
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15 June 2013
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document.write("It is National Volunteering Week and the theme this year is He tangata, He tangata, He tangata! reflecting It is the people! It is the people! It is the people! - the life-force of volunteering. The New Zealand Fire Service, saluting its 8,500 volunteer personnel, is acknowledging their contribution saying quote We could not do it without you. Auckland Operational Support has 60 members and responds to more than 550 working calls each year, the biggest and busiest of the Fire Service's 384 volunteer brigades. National Volunteering Week,16 - 22 June highlights the place of all volunteers in New Zealand - a 2008 study showed they contributed more than 270 million unpaid hours of work valued at more than $3 billion. Their work also creates positive changes on many fronts, including emergency services and community. ");
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15 June 2013
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document.write("Members gathered this week to farewell Life Honorary Member Mike Manton. His funeral was held at Oratia and members formed a guard of honour as his casket was carried from the chapel. Michael James Manton served in several brigades as a fire-fighter in Wairoa, Putaruru, Cambridge and Te Awamutu. He wanted to continue his volunteering when he moved to Auckland: he joined our Brigade in 1990 and received his 25 year Gold Star service award in 2002. ");
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2 June 2013
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document.write("The Unit concluded its involvement this afternoon at the long-duration event arising from yesterday's riot and fires at Spring Hill Prison in North Waikato. Members supported fire-fighters and other emergency services workers overnight with meals and refreshments - welcome in the cold and bleak conditions at the prison. Three shifts of members staffed the canteen continuously for more than 20 hours. The Ablutions Trailer which also responded was not required and returned last night. Early this afternoon the fires were out and Fire Service attendance was reduced to one appliance. The canteen was released to return to Auckland.
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2 June 2013
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document.write("Members have been at the scene of the disturbance and fires at Spring Hill Prison, North Waikato, overnight and continue to support emergency services at the scene. When the situation escalated to a Greater Alarm early last evening the Unit offered the mobile canteen and the ablutions trailer. A short time later both vehicles were responding. Dozens of meals have been prepared in the canteen situated \"inside\"... the emergency workers have welcomed hot drinks being continuously available in the cold, damp overnight conditions. Members have been organised in shifts for the long-duration event, the third group left Auckland at daybreak to relieve colleagues at the prison.
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31 May 2013
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Members take out 2 lanes in busy Nelson Street during the first exercise.
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document.write("Members will be helping Auckland fire-fighters at exercises in downtown Auckland over the next 6 weeks. The Fire Service has access to an unoccupied medium-rise building, the former Rainbow Hotel, at the corner of Nelson and Wellesley Streets and will stage a greater alarm exercise on Thursday mornings. The Unit's also treating this as a training opportunity, particularly for recent recruits: traffic management on busy multi-lane city streets, Command Unit and other tasks. ");
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13 May 2013
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document.write("It was a major response to Auckland University's Epsom Campus this morning when fire broke out in the kitchen and cafeteria. Fire-fighters transmitted a 4th Alarm to ensure resources were on site to deal with the blaze which seriously damaged parts of the cafeteria. Members assisted with road closures and at the control point as well as carrying out general fireground duties. The canteen responded: a number of re-hydration stations were set up around the burning building. It was the second greater alarm today... around midnight members from West Auckland attended a second alarm fire at Unitec's Carrington Road campus where fire damaged computer equipment. ");
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28 April 2013
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The Class of 2013 assemble for a debrief at Kawhia Station.
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document.write("Some of our members travelled in OS3 to join 50 firefighters from Waikato region for a weekend of exercises at Kawhia. A set of realistic scenarios began on Friday night which each fire crew tackled in turn under the watchful eyes of trainers. Then, today, to end the weekend there was one big exercise: organisers staged a fire requiring a 4th alarm attendance. Our members joined OS colleagues from Silverdale and Raglan to provide strategic support services for the various routines. ");
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19 April 2013
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document.write("The Brigade is ending Operation Parched, our heightened operational readiness during the region's long, dry summer season which resulted in a total fire ban and declaration of drought conditions. Members responded to several major rural events in the North of our area of operations and to a 4th alarm equivalent in urban South Auckland. All were long-duration events, the flames fed by tinder-dry vegetation, like a powder keg in the extraordinarily parched conditions - the 3rd driest summer since records began. We also attended numerous other smaller scrub and bush fires. Operation Parched began towards the end of January when it was clear that Auckland was in for a dry spell, but few could have foreseen it would continue for two and a half months, ending only now that persistent autumnal rains have prompted Auckland Council to cancel the total fire ban. A restricted fire season remains in place. ");
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11 April 2013
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document.write("A fire sweeping through the upper floor of a house in Northcote early this morning proved a spectacular sight. The house, in Richmond Avenue, is on the slope above the northern approach to the harbour bridge so motorists and nearby residents had a clear view of flames pouring out every first-floor window. The fire occurred within 24 hours of new tenants taking possession... members helped salvage many boxes of household possessions, still not unpacked, in ground floor rooms. No one was home at the time and fire investigators are looking into the cause. ");
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4 April 2013
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Fire-Fighter Joel McNickle is among the first to wear the new style, F10, helmet.
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document.write("One of our members, Joel McNickle, today graduated as Fire-Fighter at the Fire Service's National Training Centre in Rotorua. He was one of 23 members ending their 12 week course with a graduation ceremony which included a demonstration of the skills attained during their training. Fire Service Commission Chairman, Rt Hon Wyatt Creech, told the group they are part of an organisation that the public expects will deliver an all-hazard service while National Commander and Chief Executive, Paul Baxter, says the 23 have, by graduating, joined the very best career in the world. Joel starts shifts at Otahuhu Station in a week or two. ");
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11 March 2013
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document.write("Members turned out to Clendon Park in Auckland's southern suburbs for the third time in as many weeks, but yesterday's fire was by far the biggest and most serious, sweeping through hectares of bush on the Manukau Harbour foreshore. Fire-fighters working from 10 appliances were dealing with several seats of fire so members assisted police to close a number of roads in the suburb, while others helped evacuate dozens of families from houses affected by severe smoke nuisance, including one asthmatic woman who required hospitalisation. The canteen was on the scene and numerous \"drink depots\" were set up in-the-field to keep firefighters refreshed in the hot afternoon sun. Members stood down after operations lasting more than 4 hours. ");
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4 March 2013
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document.write("The busy 3 days ended with a call to Orakei where, late evening, an out of control car smashed through a concrete brick wall and into a garden tree on private property at the corner of Kupe Street and Colenso Place. All 4 occupants were trapped in the wreckage, extricated by fire-fighters and taken to hospital in a serious condition. Members maintained road blocks while police investigations continued. The second call, around 2 o'clock this morning, was to a house totally involved in fire at Huapai, north-west of Auckland city. At first it was thought someone may have been in the blazing building but this was later discounted. Members set up traffic management and provided re-hydration refreshments. ");
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3 March 2013
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Members close West End Road this morning to allow aerial forensic photography.
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document.write("The Brigade's had one of its busiest weekends in recent times with attendance at 7 events up 'til noon Sunday. Late Friday afternoon there was a call to a motor vehicle accident in Henderson, followed by a long-duration job in Herne Bay where a motor vehicle accident turned into a crime scene. Saturday afternoon there were calls to a gas leak in Torbay and a scrub fire in Mangere. This was followed, mid-evening by a major third-alarm turnout to 3 houses on fire in Westmere. This, too, turned into a crime scene and members returned on Sunday morning to close West End Road again to enable police to gather evidence. Just after crews stood down from Westmere in the early hours of today there were two further responses, one to a motor accident, car vs car, in Mt Roskill and, at the same time, a car vs pole in Mangere. So far this weekend members have contributed a total of more than 100 hrs. ");
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27 February 2013
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document.write("Providing meals for fire-fighters at 2 major bush fires in the North has come to an end as fire-fighting winds down. The canteen unit's been serving meals at a fire near Matakana since Saturday night and when catering operations ended last night about 300 meals had been prepared and served, some distributed by helicopter to fire-fighters working in the bush. Earlier the canteen attended a scrub fire at Tapora, Kaipara District, where 150 meals were served over 2 days. As well as meals, the mobile canteen provided liquid refreshments for hundreds of fire-fighters involved at both blazes... welcome relief in the hot, humid working conditions. ");
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25 February 2013
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West-bound trains were diverted on to the 'wrong' line this morning to bypass the logging train.
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document.write("Members blocked off Morningside Drive, Mt Albert, this morning after an accident at the level crossing near the station platform. A woman crossing the railway lines in an electric wheelchair became stuck when the chair's wheels wedged in a gap in the walkway across the tracks. Before the wheelchair could be freed it was hit by a west-bound logging train, together with a woman frantically trying to free the jammed wheelchair. Both the disabled woman and the would-be rescuer were injured. Roadblocks were put in around the scene until police and railway officials completed their on-site inspections and enquiries. ");
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24 February 2013
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Saturday night's view of the fire in the Matakana district, North Auckland.
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document.write("Members have this weekend been helping at their second major bush and scrub fire this week. It's in the Dome Valley area north of Auckland, in rugged country near Matakana. The blaze was reported yesterday afternoon - a big team of firefighters attended but could not douse the flames before nightfall. The attack recommenced at daybreak today, once again with support from helicopters. Members have been preparing meals for the workers from the Brigade's mobile canteen. The first big fire, earlier in the week, was at Tapora on the shores of the Kaipara Harbour. Our Ablutions Trailer is still on site for the use of those fire crews damping down the hot spots, preventing re-ignition.
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22 February 2013
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document.write("On the second anniversary of the disastrous earthquake that hit Christchurch, members are today recalling that within hours of news of the quake reaching Auckland our Brigade was readying to go to Canterbury to help emergency services. Those who drove South in our two vehicles, the canteen and a truck towing the ablutions trailer, were followed by 6 small teams over the next 3 weeks. Thousands of meals were served in that time at Central Fire Station while the trailer provided essential services at a shattered Central Police Station. The anniversary also marks the date from which those who joined fire, search and rescue efforts in Christchurch may wear their Canterbury Earthquake Citation, already presented by the New Zealand Fire Service. And today on our website we proudly add under Service Honours the names of our Members who were awarded the ribbon and certificate. ");
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20 February 2013
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The fire at Tapora was burning along a half km front
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document.write("Members are assisting at a long-duration scrub fire at Tapora in the Kaipara District. The Brigade's mobile canteen responded in the early hours and has been busy re-hydrating crews and providing meals. The Ablution Trailer has been requested and this is going North this morning. Supplies to replenish the canteen will also be sent to the scene. The fire is being attacked by more than 60 fire-fighters, heavy machinery's creating fire breaks and helicopters are using monsoon buckets. Crews are also protecting several houses close to the blaze. ");
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13 February 2013
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Brigade Members a the function recognising service in Christchurch
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document.write("16 Members today received recognition for their service in Canterbury immediately following the earthquake that almost 2 years ago devastated Christchurch and environs. 15 members qualified for the New Zealand Fire Service Commission's Earthquake Citation (Dress Distinction) while another was awarded a personal Certificate of Appreciation. The Citation is given to all fire service personnel who responded to Christchurch while search and rescue operations were being undertaken. We sent our canteen and ablutions trailer to Christchurch, staffed for 20 days by 6 teams, assisted by 2 members of Silverdale Operational Support who today also received recognition for their part. Brigade Secretary, QFF Jackie Watson, was awarded her Citation for services with Fire Service administration. Former members John Kerr and Hamish Kyle returned to the fold to collect their awards while one member, SO Chris England, was unavoidably absent, overseas. ");
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7 February 2013
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document.write("Members attended two calls overnight, both were to motor accidents, both in the same suburb, Orakei, and both were the result of vehicles leaving the road. The first was on Tamaki Drive where a car ran into a roadside Pohutukawa tree. Two people with critical injuries were extricated from the vehicle. Members put in a roadblock on Tamaki Drive at Ngapipi Road. Then, little more than 2 hours later, there was another accident – a vehicle failed to take a bend, careered across the footpath, smashed through a pipe fence and, airborne, dropped below the road coming to rest beside a house 10 metres below street level. One person died in the crash. Members again established a roadblock on Ngapipi Road, this time at Paratai Drive, within a kilometre of the earlier accident. ");
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5 February 2013
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Emergency teams at work in Balmoral Road, Mt Eden.
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document.write("Traffic was disrupted on one of Auckland’s busiest East-West routes this morning after a crash involving a school bus and two cars. Members managed one narrowed lane in each direction on Balmoral Road because emergency vehicles blocked the other two lanes. A man was extricated from the wreckage of one of the cars. The accident occurred during the morning commute so backlogs quickly built up. Fortunately there were no serious injuries: the scene was cleared in 90 minutes. ");
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31 January 2013
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The fire at Clendon Park swept through toe toe, flax and scrub.
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document.write("Despite a total fire ban in greater Auckland, the long dry spell has spawned many grass, scrub and bush fires. Our brigade was called to assist at 2 of the more serious incidents last evening. The first in the South Auckland suburb of Clendon Park quickly spread through scrub and toe-toe bushes threatening several houses in its path. During the 3 hour fire-fighting operation Members engaged in traffic management, refreshments from the canteen and command unit duties. Meanwhile a second unit was despatched to a scrub fire at Snell’s Beach, towards the northern boundary of our area of activity. Operation Parched, our Brigade’s heightened readiness to meet growing fire risks during Auckland’s long hot, dry summer, continues. ");
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28 January 2013
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document.write("The Brigade’s put in special arrangements to meet the growing risk of fire because of Auckland’s long dry spell. We have already attended bush, grass and scrub fires this summer but with the prolonged dry period, which looks certain to continue, members have offered their services on a special roster to ensure there’ll be rapid responses to support fire-fighters. “We know these can be long-duration jobs, often in more remote, rural, districts” says Chief Fire Officer Glenn Teal “so we have put ourselves on heightened alert ensuring appropriate personnel and support vehicles are available”. ");
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26 January 2013
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The crash that brought down power lines for nearly 1k along Taupaki Road.
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document.write("Members responded to a motor vehicle accident at Taupaki in the early hours where an out-of-control car had left the road, hit a power pole and came to rest in a paddock against a cattle loading ramp. Roads had to be closed because as well as the power pole blocking traffic, 11kv power lines were brought down for about a kilometre along Taupaki Road. The accident occurred at a Y intersection with Nixon Road so members were involved for the long duration job maintaining inner cordons at 3 locations assisted by traffic management contractors who set up outer road blocks ");
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25 January 2013
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City Station's aerial went bush today to help fight the scrub fire in Hunua Gorge.
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document.write("Members responded to 2 calls for assistance at the same time around 5.45 am today, both in South Auckland. The first was to a house fire in Pukekohe which left the premises badly damaged and fire investigators looking into the cause. The second call was to the Hunua Gorge where bush alongside the road was alight. The fire quickly spread up the steep bank. The road was closed because fire-fighting operations, including a portable dam, blocked the carriageway and then rocks, loosened by the fire, began to tumble on to the road. Members stopped all through-traffic until replaced by contractors. The canteen was on site until mid-afternoon, welcomed by firefighters working the steep slopes in the searing heat of the day. ");
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20 January 2013
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document.write("There were roof-top rescues this morning in downtown Auckland as fire swept through first floor apartments in Commerce Street. Firefighters used ladders and aerial appliances to rescue 4 people who had escaped the flames inside the building but found their only option was to go out on to the roof. They thought they'd have to jump to safety but just then the fire brigade arrived and got them down. Operational Support Members assisted in a wide range of duties during the 3rd Alarm fire which also affected 7 businesses in the same building. Fire officers have begun investigations into the cause of the fire and into fire evacuation facilities, given the roof-top rescues. ");
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16 January 2013
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document.write("A house in rural Massey was destroyed by a fire that swept through the Red Hills Road property just after midnight, triggering a 3rd Alarm turnout. Poor water supplies hindered fire-fighting. Fire appliances provided a shuttle, ferrying water to the fire from the nearest mains resulting in Members closing the road at numerous intersections to give fire engines easy access to and from the fire. Being rural, there was no street lighting: Te Atatu volunteers illuminated the scene as well as surrounding roadsides and ditches. ");
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1 January 2013
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Operational Support guarding live wires in Dunkirk Road, Panmure.
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document.write("The New Year didn’t wait long for the first motor vehicle accident for 2013. Early this afternoon Members responded to Dunkirk Road, Panmure, where a car had lost control, careered into a power pole and, continuing, mounted the footpath onto private property where it crashed into two parked vehicles. Luckily no one was hurt, but live power wires posed a threat to public safety and our Brigade remained on the scene until linemen made them safe. [It turned out there were 4 calls on New Year's Day... the first was to a garage fire in Mt Roskill and after the Panmure turn-out there were calls to a church on fire in Avondale and a serious road accident on Ormiston Road, Flat Bush]. ");
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1 January 2013
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document.write("At year’s end the Brigade had attended 526 calls, not a record number but certainly 2012 set a milestone in the range of incidents attended. With the exception of November when we turned out to a series of major fires, our attendances reflect the national trend: fewer fires but more calls fulfilling community needs. During the year we responded to the effects of the tornado that swept across Hobsonville leaving three dead, we attended a murder scene in Waterview, spillages of various hazardous materials (like diesel, chemicals, and paint), the scene of a father and son drowning in the Manukau Harbour, numerous trees down across roads, railway accidents and many motor vehicle crashes. And our attendances during the year at Tuakau in the South and Warkworth in the North illustrate that we respond wide and far: a valuable Regional resource ");
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