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27 December 2014
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The Housing Corporation unit in Waterview on fire this afternoon.
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document.write("The Brigade has turned out to 3 calls today. First there was a motor vehicle accident at Massey followed by a house fire in Whenuapai and a blaze in a unit in the Auckland suburb of Waterview.
The accident at Massey required traffic management for a short time until the road was cleared. At Whenuapai members were deployed for traffic management and other duties. Then the call to Housing Corporation unit in Waterview which was well alight: a fire which raced through the building and is now being investigated as suspicious. The significance of the series of the three calls lies in the fact that for our vehicle, OS2, and QFF Ian Batterbee it was a hat-trick, a very rare event in which a member turns out to 3 calls, from one to the next, without having returned to station or home. Traditionally, those who complete a hat-trick shout colleagues a round of drinks. These days it's celebrated by mention on our web-site!
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26 December 2014
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Smoke from the fire could be seen from one of the road blocks.
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document.write("The brigade's been at a major alert in West Auckland's Waitakere Ranges where a bush fire, reported mid-afternoon, threatened to destroy houses. About 70 fire fighters, which amounted to the equivalent of a 5th Alarm, were deployed to prevent the blaze reaching houses near Cornwallis Road and to damp it down. Two helicopters using monsoon buckets assisted. Fire appliances made many round trips until sundown, ferrying water to the fire from a supply near Huia. Members helped with road closures and traffic management, meals, and closed a reserve near Cornwallis Beach while the choppers refuelled. Firefighters will keep watch overnight in case of any flare-ups and work to extinguish the fire in the morning. The call was something of a milestone - Operational Support members from 3 brigades... Auckland, Titirangi and Laingholm worked together for various deployments. ");
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20 December 2014
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Kepueli Hanisi and his wife Alisi.
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document.write("Brigade member Kepueli (Keps) Hanisi married Alisi today in a service at All Saints Church, Howick. It became a Brigade Wedding when Keps chose to be married in uniform, two appliances attended for display and colleagues mounted a Guard of Honour as the newly-weds emerged from the church. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Ric Carlyon welcomed Alisi to the Brigade Family at the Reception where there was some amusing debate whether a K45 had been transmitted about the time Keps said \"I do\" at the church!. ");
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18 December 2014
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Last night's accident scene on Piha Road
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document.write("In the 3rd long-duration job this week, members assisted at a motor vehicle accident on the Piha Road in Waitakere Ranges last night. It occurred early in the evening during squally, stormy weather which crossed Auckland. The driver of the car, the sole occupant, was taken to hospital for examination, having escaped from her overturned car. Members and personnel from Waiatarua Volunteer Fire Brigade set up an alternating flow (Stop/Go) system to keep the road open since it's the only route to and from Piha. However, some holdups were necessary while the car was salvaged and, later, while absorbent material was spread on a section of the road to soak up an extensive oil spill. ");
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17 December 2014
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A wide range of stock was damaged when the basement flooded
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document.write("Operations at the flooded basement in premises on Queen Street, downtown, turned out to be a long-duration job. Our members attended over the whole day, from 8am until 5pm, looking after traffic management, pedestrian and crowd control and canteen duties, including serving hot meals.
11 members were on duty at some stage during the day, required because fire brigade operations blocked one lane of Queen Street traffic and the western footpath for the duration. The job entailed pumping millions of litres of water about a metre deep, from the flooded basement of a warehouse-type $2 shop beneath the Acrossia Building. It was only when the task was completed that the damage was evident within the store. Cardboard boxes and wrappings had disintegrated in the wet, spewing goods all over the floor. Some stock floated on the surface while heavier items emerged only as the water level subsided. Our members concluded their duties at 5.15pm. ");
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16 December 2014
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Queen Street operations underway to shift millions of litres of water.
\"More like an earthquake than a flood\": damaged stock in the basement store.
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document.write("Downtown Queen Street was awash this morning, despite fine weather. Firefighters were pumping out the flooded basement of a building on the corner of Queen and Wyndham Streets, the water rushing down the kerb, across the road and into drains. A broken water pipe caused the problem - overnight some millions of litres accumulated to a depth of about a metre in the basement shop. It took several hours' continuous pumping to pump out the water. Other shops fronting Queen Street were also affected. Members assisted with traffic management in Auckland's main thoroughfare and closed the footpath outside the affected building. The canteen attended to provide hot meals during the long-duration pumping job. The damage to stock in the store could be seen only once the water receded and access made. \"It looks more like an earthquake than a flood\", one of our members noted, \"stock is littered just everywhere\". ");
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15 December 2014
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Smoke from the blazing unit could be seen from many parts of Auckland
The fire took out the Unit and 2 cars parked alongside
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document.write("Smoke from this afternoon's house fire in Mt Albert was seen from many parts of Greater Auckland.
The two-storeyed unit in the densely-housed McGehan Close was destroyed in the fire, along with two cars adjacent to the building. At first it was thought there was still someone inside the place but firefighters quickly found that all the occupants had escaped. They then concentrated on putting out the persistent fire which was stopped from spreading to the neighbouring unit by the solid separating wall. Members cordoned off the cul-de-sac to all traffic to give access to emergency services: a second alarm was transmitted. Members also provided crowd control, refreshments and waterway assistance.
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28 November 2014
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This afternoon's Penrose accident: a light van ran into the back of laden truck
Rescuers, having cut the windscreen off, swarm around one of the trapped victims
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document.write("The Brigade's averaged 2 calls a day this week with several emergencies benefiting by traffic management duties provided by our members. Malone Road in Mt Wellington was closed because of a house fire where people were rescued. In Scenic Drive, Waiatarua, traffic was managed after a two car accident on Monday, followed by major road closures on and around Nielson Street, Te Papapa late on Tuesday night. The next evening we attended a collision in one of Howick's main streets and on Wednesday night put in road blocks surrounding a serious fire in a block of flats in Henderson. Traffic patterns in the area had been already changed because the North West motorway was closed by road works, and when Edmonton Road was closed there were further complications, disruption and more delays. Members worked to clear long tail-backs. Today's accident at the intersection of Church Street, Hugo Johnson Drive and O'Rorke Road in Penrose also altered traffic patterns - this time throughout the evening commute. Two persons, seriously hurt, were cut free from a mangled van after it ran into the back of a truck. Members assisted at roadblocks until the wreckage was cleared. ");
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22 November 2014
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Scene of this morning's house fire in Mt Wellington
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document.write("Several occupants were rescued in today's house fire at Mt Wellington - but a man, a woman and an infant are hospitalised with severe burns. The morning blaze, in a two storeyed unit in Malone Road, ripped through the residence catching several people inside. Some were dropped from the first floor to neighbours' waiting arms while others were rescued and taken out on to the lawn. An infant was resuscitated by firefighters before being taken to hospital. Members closed the road during the second alarm emergency and provided other support services. ");
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20 November 2014
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Family and friends pay their last tributes: Honour Guard in the background.
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document.write("Our Brigade was represented at the funeral in Hamilton this morning of former Fire Commander Emrys Evans, QFSM, who died aged 88 at the weekend. Emrys emigrated with his family from Wales in 1928. In 1953 he joined East Coast Bays Volunteer Fire Brigade and then served in many North Island brigades after he had chosen the Fire Service as his career. He retired in 1977 as Commander, Waikato. Emrys was very much involved in the United Fire Brigades' Association having served in practically every office in the organisation and its affiliates, including President and Chairman of the Benevolent Trust Fund. Until this year he had attended every UFBA annual conference for 55 years. Emrys made his Last Call aboard Cambridge Fire Brigade's 1938 Ford V8 appliance.
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10 November 2014
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The truck was split in two during the accident: the wheel assembly sits on the median barrier
Wrong Way! OSU managed \"trapped\" vehicles exiting the closed motorway via the on--ramp
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document.write("The Brigade was called this afternoon to assist at a fatal truck accident on State Highway 20, the South Western Motorway, where it passes through Mt Roskill. A rubbish trick travelling South between Dominion Road and Hillsborough Road lost control and rolled several times. The driver died as a result. Debris and rubbish strewn over the roadway meant police closed the motorway in both directions, just at the onset of the evening rush hours. Members assisted with traffic management at multiple intersections, directing flows through Mt Roskill streets around the closure and, at one stage, rescuing vehicles trapped on the closed motorway. This meant u-turning cars, trucks and buses, one by one, and directing them back so that they exited the \"wrong way\" through the usual on-ramp at Dominion Road interchange. All tasks wound up at nine o clock when the motorway reopened. ");
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9 November 2014
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One of 5 vehicles involved at May Road: damage extended over 100 metres
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document.write("It's been an eventful weekend: the Brigade's been called out 13 times since lunchtime Friday. There were 7 calls yesterday. They have ranged from serious house fires to motor vehicle accidents and, today, the leakage of hundreds of tonnes of molten glass within the glass factory at Penrose. On Friday night members provided traffic management at a road accident after a driver lost control in May Road. 5 cars were damaged in a trail of destruction, and landing on soft grass probably saved a woman's life after she \"flew through the air\", catapulted across the footpath, over a fence and on to a front lawn nearby. Some incidents OSU attended were short-lived - others occupied members for several hours. The canteen attended the long-duration job at the glassworks. ");
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7 November 2014
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Firefighter in the decontamination shower, Mt Eden
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document.write("Members closed part of Grange Road, Mt Eden, this afternoon during Fire Service activities in doctors' surgeries at the corner of Mt Eden Road. The call was to a small chemical spillage. Two firefighters at the centre of operations wore full protective over-suits and once the spillage was dealt with they went through the decontamination shower. Duties for Operational Support personnel were traffic management (activities continued through the evening rush-hours) and scene protection. ");
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4 November 2014
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SO Richard Cuthbert gives his team the safety briefing before training begins
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document.write("Fifty personnel joined a Brigade practical exercise last night, focusing on salvage and lighting duties. Auckland members were joined by a crew from Silverdale, utilising the Fire Service's unique training facilities at Mt Wellington. Crews were tasked to control torrents of water in the tower block, simulating flooding from sprinklers and run-off from firefighting in fire-damaged buildings. Other exercises were to provide lighting in premises, some treated as a crime scene with limited access in order to protect evidence. Opportunity was also taken to include Command and Control procedures using the Brigade's new radios. ");
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3 November 2014
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UFBA Conference delegate CFO Glenn Teal and observer SO Keith Ashton
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document.write("Operational Support vehicles deployed by fire brigades came into discussions at the UFBA Conference held this weekend in Tauranga. A workshop was held to hear Brigades' views views on vans and utility vehicles which for many include vans and station wagons used for Operational Support duties, for medical responses or as troop carriers and running general station errands. The workshop was led by NZFS Fleet Manager, Mike Moran, who explained he is preparing a proposed policy document and is looking at such things as minimum safety standards, ownership, livery and uses to which vehicles are put. Other themes emerging from Conference included the increasing urgency to reform fire services' legislation, the need to change the way fire services are funded and a push to preserve fire brigade heritage. The spotlight also fell on Rural Fire... with an extended mission and a challenge to make UFBA more relevant to volunteer members of rural fire forces.
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26 October 2014
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Fire destroyed a cafe under construction in Cornwall Park
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document.write("Two fires in different Auckland suburbs at the same time are being investigated as suspected arson. The first blaze was in Cornwall Park, Greenlane and destroyed a building under construction. It was to be the park's new cafe and required only finishing touches before being opened in 2 weeks, anticipating summer visitors. Damage has been put at around a million dollars. At exactly the same time West Auckland firefighters were engaged in second alarm operations in Blockhouse Bay Road. Fire investigators and detectives are also probing this outbreak which damaged the Islamic Centre in Blockhouse Bay Road, Avondale, a mosque at the centre of recent controversy between Auckland's Muslim factions. Fire was confined to a small area within the rambling complex. Members contributed to traffic management and security at both incidents.
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18 October 2014
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Appliances taking part in Helensville's Centenary Parade
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document.write("Helensville Volunteer Fire Brigade celebrates its centenary this weekend with activities to mark the milestone. This morning there was a parade of fire appliances, big and small, through the town. Our members took the mobile Canteen, and, of course, the Wendy House - smoking as usual - made its appearance. Helensville's volunteer brigade began in 1915 under Captain A. G. Robinson but firemen had to wait until March 1917 for their first serious blaze, a fire in the upper structure and decking of the \"Bellbird\" tied up alongside the Railway Wharf. The brigade was credited with \"a good save\" by the Press at the time. ");
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15 October 2014
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document.write("The Brigade did not have to wait long to realise the benefit of its new radios. Within an hour of the switch-over to the new communications package, members were called to assist with traffic management at an oil spillage in Ellerslie. The incident occurred just before evening peak hour traffic and restricted lanes and roads quickly caused congestion. A bus travelling to the city had been leaking oil, leaving a trail for some 4 kilometres between Panmure and Harp of Erin. Tell-tale puddles of oil on the roadway at traffic lights and at bus stops indicated where the bus had stopped along the way. Members assisted with absorbent and traffic management as well as checking the bus route for any further spillage. The new radios played their part with crystal-clear messages exchanged between the 8 members who were part of this operation, as far apart as Drury and Massey.
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15 October 2014
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Auckland Operational Support members now use Tait TP9455 hand-helds.
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document.write("It's a red letter day for the Brigade with the switch-over this afternoon to a new communications package. The Brigade paid for its own radio network more than 20 years ago but the equipment has been slowly deteriorating with age, becoming unreliable and has been overtaken by advances in technology. The Fire Service agreed to replace the system with access to an Auckland-wide radio network, a new simplex channel for use on the incident ground and new hand-held radios (or \"terminals\" as they are called these days) together with microphones, battery chargers and vehicle sets. \"We are grateful the New Zealand Fire Service funded our new communications equipment,\" Chief Fire Officer Glenn Teal says, \"it's fundamental to the safety of members and efficiency of our operations'. Tait technology was chosen, the TP9455 multi-channel portable. The switch-over to the new digital technology chalks up another notable milestone for Auckland Operational Support. It's the first brigade in the NZFS to utilise the Whole of Government Radio Network overseen by Police Communications. ");
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10 October 2014
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document.write("The brigade congratulates Senior Firefighter Scott Shadbolt of Christchurch who has been awarded the United Fire Brigades' Association rare Valour Medal. It's only the 4th time it's been conferred since it was instituted in 1880, the last in 1908. In the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Christchurch in 2011, Scott was trying to free a man trapped in the confined spaces of the roof of the crumpled Pyne Gould Corporation building. When lengthy attempts failed, Scott Shadbolt, working in a confined space completed the amputation of both the man's legs using pen knives and saw blades. The trapped man was successfully rescued, his life undoubtedly saved. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Ric Carlyon chaired the Panel considering nominations for the awards - some 80 other firefighters received the UFBA's Certificate of Valour for their brave actions following the 'quake. ");
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5 October 2014
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Scene of this evening's Riverhead accident
Tense moment as the door of the overturned horse truck is about to be opened.
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document.write("Our brigade has attended 3 calls today: two were long events. The first was a 10 hour job at the early morning Second Alarm, a fire in underground cables at Transpower's Ellerslie substation. 15 members attended carrying out a wide range of duties. The second call was to a house fire in Flat Bush where traffic management was required. It was the same at the second long job, a motor vehicle accident at Riverhead. It involved a car, a power pole and a horse truck. The occupants of the car were injured and removed to hospital by ambulance. The horses were contained in the truck which landed off the road in a paddock. It took time to release the animals and to salvage the truck. ");
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5 October 2014
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The ducting housing the underground cable: foam residue remains
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document.write("Members have been involved in a long-duration overnight operation at a fire within Transpower's Penrose electricity sub-station. Flames issuing from underground ducting prompted a second alarm turnout. Cable in the ducting was found to be on fire, the situation worsening because the cable is filled with oil under pressure. Firefighters used foam to extinguish the blaze. Until damage can be assessed by engineers Vector says some 80,000 electricity consumers are without power in Auckland's eastern areas between Mt Eden, Sylvia Park and including waterfront suburbs. Members were engaged in numerous duties during the long-duration including ICP, traffic, transporting personnel, canteen and decontamination. ");
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5 October 2014
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document.write("Members remain in attendance at the site of a large fire in the Penrose electrical sub-station. Duties included road closures, support for the Incident Command Point, refreshments, lighting and a goodly amount of logistical support - bringing supplies of all-important foam to the fireground from sites across Auckland. The power outage has affected nearly 100,000 households and latest reports are that power to some areas may be out for up to 48 hours. ");
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27 September 2014
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The damaged Dominion Road Laundromat
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document.write("It was deja-vu for some members who responded to a fire in a Laundromat in Dominion Road, Mt Eden, tonight - the premises had been damaged in a previous blaze some years ago. The fire was well-established when firefighters going to another call came across it: they were instantly on the job. Nevertheless, as before, the place was badly damaged. Members put in traffic management around the fire ensuring busy Dominion Road was kept open in both directions. ");
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27 September 2014
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Fire pours from Northcote College's technology block.
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document.write("Northcote College's technology block, including a carpentry workshop, was destroyed by fire last night in a blaze that resulted in a 3rd Alarm by the Fire Service. The 100m x 40m two-storeyed wooden structure was well alight - the glow and smoke attracting a large crowd. Firefighters ran out hoses to obtain water from Onewa Road, piping supply to the technology block which is in the heart of the College property, surrounded by other buildings. They were unaffected by the fire. The swimming pool was used as an additional water source. Members, joined by their colleagues from the Silverdale Unit were engaged in many fireground tasks: refreshments, lighting, assisting with feeders, at the command unit and traffic management. ");
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20 September 2014
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Police photograph the serious accident at Buckland
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document.write("Members responded to 2 calls at once this morning, one in the Southern part of our area at Buckland near Pukekohe, the other at Kumeu to the north of Auckland. Mid-morning OS3, supported by members, went to a 2-car motor vehicle accident on Harrisville Road, Buckland with persons trapped. We assisted with traffic management while police investigated the crash and until a traffic management company arrived to take over the road closure. At Kumeu a vehicle had leaked diesel on to State Highway 16 making the roadway surface dangerously slippery. The spillage extended for some hundred meters. Two OSU vehicles and accompanying members were despatched to manage traffic around the spill until Council clean-up gangs made the highway safe
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16 September 2014
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document.write("Chief Fire Officer, Glenn Teal, told last night's Annual General Meeting of the Brigade that the 2013-14 year was both successful and notable.
Spelling out some of the year's highlights in his Annual Report, Glenn said members have retained operational readiness and responded to 553 emergency call-outs. He noted celebrations to mark the Brigade's 80th anniversary. \"And then hosting last year's United Fire Brigades' Association's Annual Conference was a major task. It was successful, well received and raised the profile of Operational Support among all brigades across New Zealand. It was the first time an Operational Support Unit has taken the role as Host\".
Glenn recorded the fact that the Brigade continues to attract potential recruits. \"We always have more candidates than we need to maintain our established number\".
His report also welcomes news that the NZFS is replacing our radio network, together with hand-held radios and associated equipment.\"This is essential to our operations\" Glenn says, \"and we are grateful to the NZFS for this investment which will result in state-of-the art communication equipment\". ");
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12 September 2014
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Aftermath of last night's second alarm at Albany Heights
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document.write("Fire last night destroyed a house under construction in a new sub division at Albany Heights on Auckland's North Shore. A second alarm was transmitted when it was found the two-storey house was totally alight: today fire investigators are trying to find the cause. The house was all but completed with just a few finishing touches required to make it habitable. Members assisted with traffic management and refreshments. ");
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11 September 2014
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Our members who made the Stair Climb. Some twice over.
\"Unaccustomed as we are...\" - Nigel Hohaia assists Jonathan Teariki with BA
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document.write("Two firefighters from New York and visitors from several Australian brigades joined New Zealand fire-fighters today in downtown Auckland this afternoon to honour counterparts who have died in the execution of their duty. The event remembers, particularly, those emergency services' personnel who died in the series of tragedies on 11th September 2001 in USA, and those 56 fellow New Zealand fire-fighters who have died in the line of duty. SSO Bay, as Anglican Bishop of Auckland, officiated at the ceremony with prayers for those who gave their lives, and for firefighters everywhere. Eight members participated in the stair climb, others provided event traffic management and scene protection.
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7 September 2014
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Diversions in place outside Pukekawa.
QFF Mark Foster directs traffic away from the scene of a fatal crash.
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document.write("After a quiet Saturday, members were awakened at around 5.30am this morning with a call to help with traffic control on Carrington Road outside Unitec. A vehicle had collided with a power pole and then decamped, leaving the pole precariously placed and power lines hanging very low across the road. Members provided traffic control until Vector could render the scene safe. Shortly thereafter a long-duration incident began in Pukekawa, with another motor vehicle accident, this one involving a fatality. Members assisted with road closures while the Police Serious Crash Unit carried out their investigation. Two further calls followed: an MVA in Otahuhu and a tree collapsed on a vehicle at Auckland Domain. ");
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23 August 2014
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Firefighters at work: Kelston 2nd Alarm house fire
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document.write("A fierce fire swept through a two-storey house in Kelston this morning triggering a second alarm callout. There was some doubt at first that family members had made their way out, but it was later ascertained everyone was safe. Fire quickly spread throughout the premises. Members closed the street and then subsequently \"rescued\" a bus that got caught in the blocked section, enabling it to resume service.
And just after 5pm a second alarm was transmitted for another house fire, this time in Mt Albert. Members at first closed busy Hendon Avenue to all traffic with a diversion, later they opened the road to Westbound traffic. Once firefighting had concluded and hoses and appliances were moved from the roadway the road was reopened. ");
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15 August 2014
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document.write("High winds and occasional squalls experienced across Auckland overnight resulted in 4 calls for the Brigade. The gusty westerly brought down a number of trees and power lines and members responded to calls for assistance in Hillsborough, Manurewa, Mt Albert and Onehunga. Duties were road closures and scene protection in the interests of public safety until linemen and arborists arrived. In addition there were 2 fires. The first of the evening was at Pukekohe, a blaze in a garage involving hazardous materials necessitating evacuation of local residents. The second fire involved a house at Albany Heights, a second alarm. Combined with the other weather calls it meant we had the rare occurrence of 3 of our vehicles committed at once. ");
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11 August 2014
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Fire damage to a bedroom in the Campbells Bay house
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document.write("An otherwise quiet weekend concluded with 4 calls for the brigade within 12 hours. Yesterday's mid-afternoon house fire in Henderson began the busy period. It quickly became a likely crime scene needing traffic management and scene protection. An evening turnout to Runciman was next to a persons-trapped motor accident where a car had gone off the road into a pole. Fortunately the trapped driver wasn't badly hurt and, once freed by fire-fighters, walked to the ambulance. Then it was a house fire in Otara where it was thought people were still inside the burning building. All were later accounted for, but one occupant was taken to hospital with severe burns. The last call in the series was also a second-alarm turnout, to a 2 storeyed house in Campbells Bay. It appeared the chimney and roof void were involved, soon dealt-to by North Shore firefighters. ");
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31 July 2014
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This morning's major blaze at Henderson
Firefighters attack the northern end of the building
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document.write("One of the biggest fires in West Auckland in years has overnight destroyed one of the largest buildings at Auckland Film Studios' Henderson complex. The blaze ripped through the 3 storey-high corrugated iron structure which at one end contained a gym where flying stunts and sequences were arranged while the other end was a workshop where film props and scenery were made and stored.
Firefighters responded with a 4th alarm using multiple deliveries , including several aerial attacks, to get the better of the fire. Members carried out traffic control, scene protection, fireground duties and provided meals from the mobile canteen.
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13 July 2014
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Trainee Firefighter Goonewardana practises guiding a 'motorist' over a charged hose, using hoseramps
Qualified Firefighter Alex Tugaga working on a Stop-Go exercise on Pilkington Road.
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document.write("Motorists in Mt Wellington and Panmure may have wondered about the clusters of Fire Service personnel on the roads of their neighbourhood at various stages this weekend. With the management of road traffic a significant part of our duties, this key skill was the focus of a busy weekend on the part of the training team. With assistance of SGT Tim Lockwood of the New Zealand Police, brigade members both new and experienced were all put through a full day of traffic control training with three key areas covered: Points Duty, Hoseramp Management and Stop-Go signal use. These frequently-used abilities are key to ensuring the safety of both the public and our emergency-services colleagues when working on or near the roadway. ");
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13 July 2014
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document.write("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\". ");
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4 July 2014
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ASO Pat Robinson makes a splash during salvage operations at the 4th Alarm
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document.write("Today's lunchtime blaze in a South Auckland factory had fire-fighters busy for more than 4 hours until the last of the flames were extinguished. It began in a bitumen tank and spread into the premises of Thermakraft, a factory making insulation and underlay products. One end of the building was destroyed but fire-fighters, using 4 jets from aerial appliances, multiple ground monitors and many hoselines, managed to cut the flames off saving the greater part of the factory. Members closed surrounding roads, served meals from the mobile canteen and carried out salvage, minimising water damage to offices and parts of the factory and stock left undamaged by fire. ");
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1 July 2014
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Suspicious: last structure fire attended year-ended 30/06/14
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document.write("The Brigade's total response for year ended June 30th is down compared to last year, 553 call-outs as against 583. This despite experiencing our busiest day ever, with 18 calls, in the wake of the storm that passed over Auckland on 17th April. The last structure fire for the old year was double garage in Glen Eden, badly damaged in suspicious circumstances. And the year began strongly: today there've been 3 calls - to a fire in a Henderson factory, a motor vehicle accident in Mt Eden and to a fork-hoist on fire in a Mangere warehouse.
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16 June 2014
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\"Fighting the fire from the left!\" QFF Sadler takes his turn with the AFFF.
... and just a few seconds later... \"Fire is Out!\"
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document.write("Members of our unit were privileged enough to be able to practice the use of fire extinguishers at the RNZN Damage Control School at Devonport this morning. Whilst extinguishers are common and found in many vehicles and workplaces, few people get a chance to use them in anger.
Members were given the opportunity to use AFFF, CO2 and Dry Powder extinguishers in a controlled environment.
We're very grateful to the Royal New Zealand Navy for the opportunity. ");
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11 June 2014
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document.write("Our brigade, like other emergency services, were at times stretched to cope with the effects of the overnight storm that passed across Northland, Auckland and North Waikato. Gale-force winds and heavy rain left a trail of destruction - houses damaged, roofs lifting, trees down and power outages. In addition there were calls to flooding: in some cases with possible rescues of people trapped in submerged cars. Roads were closed in the interests of public safety. The Fire Service responded to some 500 calls for help in the North of the North Island from 7 o'clock last night until 2 o'clock this afternoon, with requests for assistance still being made. Those with long experience say this might be a record response for storm-related events in the Region. Our members responded to 7 calls during the storm, one - at Murrays Bay where there were live power wires down - turned out to be a 5 hour marathon task protecting the scene awaiting linemen. ");
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11 June 2014
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Preparing to rescue the car from under the fallen tree
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document.write("Our members have responded to six calls during tonight's stormy conditions. The first was to a large tree which blew down, engulfing a car and blocking all 4 lanes on Great North Road, Waterview. The driver of the car was lucky... the tree collapsed right in front of him and, unavoidably, he ploughed into the branches, the car becoming jammed in the foliage. But fortunately the weight of a main branch was taken by the car's roof above the rear window and the driver was uninjured. Members closed Great North Road until arborists arrived and a traffic management company took over. At the same time other members answered a call further along Great North Road between New Lynn and Kelston where a car collided with a wall. We also responded to Whitford where a power pole was on fire and a road closure required, to power wires down in Murrays Bay and Favona and a large tree across the road at Mt Albert. ");
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8 June 2014
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A St John instructor walks QFF Stu McLean through elements of Secondary Survey.
QFF Mark Biesheuvel and SSO Allan Officer practise immobilising SO Andrew Galloway's neck.
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document.write("All operational members of the Fire Service are expected to maintain First Aid currency and Auckland Operational Support is no exception. Yesterday several members of our brigade attended a full day training, with more members scheduled for the same course this weekend coming. Subjects covered included CPR on infants, children and adults; The use of AED's (Automatic Electronic Defibrillators) ; Primary and Secondary Survey and mass-casualty triage using the START method. We also ran several scenarios with brigade members seconded into the role of 'patient', complete with simulated injuries (some impressive acting jobs ensued!). The training is provided by St John as a special course for the New Zealand Fire Service, and results in NZQA Unit Standards for all members who demonstrate competency. ");
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26 May 2014
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Drilling pauses for moment to check progress on the TV probe
The mobile canteen, backed into City Station, provided an ideal kitchen
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document.write("The Brigade's been supporting today's big exercise in Auckland where personnel from the local Urban Search and Rescue Team have been honing their skills. Their mission was to rescue persons trapped in a collapsed concrete building and a very realistic underground scenario was created at City Station, Pitt Street, with an ingenious conversion of the vehicle inspection pit in the old Brigade workshop. Working in two shifts, \"rescuers\" toiled in dark, dirty and dust-filled situations to cut and drill their way through thick concrete. Some panels were arranged to replicate tonnes of toppled or pan-caked debris... with trapped persons inside. Our members took the mobile canteen to the exercise and provided meals and refreshments for the team throughout the day. ");
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25 May 2014
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Members assiting traffic flows on Mt Albert Road this afternoon
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document.write("Members assisted at 2 motor vehicle accidents today: both were on Auckland's busiest roads. The first two-vehicle smash occurred this morning on the intersection of Blockhouse Bay Road and New North Road, almost outside the Avondale fire station. Five roads connect so traffic soon built up. Northbound flows on Blockhouse Bay Road had to be diverted for nearly an hour while the scene was restored to normal. Then, this afternoon's collision on Dominion Road caused this very busy road to be closed with detours put in place and sign-posted. Brigade members closed roads at 6 locations, including one of Auckland's busiest intersections, Mt Albert Road and Dominion Road, with extra point duty at May Road and Mt Albert Road because of altered flows around the area. Police investigated the scene as a serious crash incident: road closures remained in place for 3 and a half hours. This was one of the biggest urban traffic management tasks undertaken by members in recent years. ");
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12 May 2014
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Saving a long walk... temporary access through the bamboo
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document.write("A mid-morning call and members were asked to assist at a rural call near Kumeu. The fires, in piles of bamboo clippings between rows of kiwi fruit vines, created a smoke nuisance for passing motorists early-on and then traffic management was required during water tanker operations. The Canteen responded and provided lunch-time meals for fire-fighters, some of whom had travelled from as far afield as Kaukapakapa. Activities wound down mid-afternoon. With tall bamboo hedges surrounding the property an innovative approach was required to gain access for fire-fighting. ");
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25 April 2014
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Unga Koloamatangi \"on camera\" at Balmoral Station
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document.write("A member of our brigade's soon to be seen as part of the New Zealand Fire Service's nation-wide recruitment drive. The promotion, \"Step Forward, become a volunteer firefighter\" will feature in the Press at Anzac weekend, followed by other media. The series features a number of volunteer firefighters showing them both in their career occupations and their fire service roles. F.F. Unga Koloamatangi was chosen to take part, videotaped at Auckland International Airport in his Air New Zealand pilot's uniform and again at Balmoral fire station wearing his Operational Support turnout gear. The campaign material has the catch-line \"Being part of a community is like being part of a large family. Will you be there when someone in yours calls for help?\" ");
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21 April 2014
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Firefighters earlier cut the woman free from this vehicle
Members gather chairs - mustn't keep the bride waiting
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document.write("Members turned out this morning to Easter weekend's second fatal crash in the north-west of our patch. A woman died at the scene after her vehicle and a truck were in collision on the Riverhead - Coatesville Highway near Old Railway Road. Members assisted with a road closure at the intersection of SH 16 plus other duties on the incident ground. One of these was to help gather up tables and chairs at the scene. They were in the truck involved, which was impounded. The seating and tables were required for a wedding this afternoon. Members loaded them into another van for transport in time for the nuptials. ");
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18 April 2014
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SH16 is closed while police investigate the cause of the fatal crash
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document.write("The Brigade's busy day was to end, early evening, with one further response to Kumeu, north-west of the city, to a serious motor vehicle accident on State Highway 16. It was a car-versus-car collision which left one woman dead, one child in critical condition, another was seriously injured while other patients were taken to hospital, or treated at the scene. It was the first fatal accident of the Easter holiday period. 8 of our Brigade members attended, assisting with road closures while the Canteen crew provided meals for the long-duration event - wrapping up the Brigade's busiest day ever. ");
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17 April 2014
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Firefighters lower loose roofing to safety at Browns Bay
Today's wind gusts too much for the 102 year old Ferry Building
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document.write("Today's pre-Easter storm with gale-force gusts and heavy rain provided the scenario for the Brigade's busiest day ever. Between 7.20 am and 7.20 pm we attended 16 calls which by far exceeds our previous busy day with 9 turn-outs on 26 July 2008. Most damage was caused by high winds - gusts of up to 110 kph were recorded in greater Auckland, wreaking havoc with trees, power lines, roofing, awnings, sheds and the odd trampoline. The calls our Brigade attended were all as a result of the weather: our duties on-site were all in the interests of public safety. This meant road closures, diversions, barriers and traffic management around windblown trees, fallen power poles and downed power lines. (The calls are listed in the item Storm Surge, below). ");
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17 April 2014
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The large tree, in Grafton Road, one of the first victims of today's storm
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document.write("This morning's stormy weather brought a flurry of calls for the fire service, and our brigade was no different: all 3 of our vehicles were kept busy. In fact one appliance, OS3, chalked up a record when it went to a series of 6 incidents without a break:
+ to a tree down in Grafton Road
+ to close Quay Street in the city where high winds threatened to blow down the flag pole from the top of the Ferry Building
+ to Ladies Mile in Remuera, where power lines were down and traffic management was needed,
+ to another \"lines down\" in Te Atatu South
+ to a similar occurrence in Titirangi to close a road there because power wires were down
+ to Queen Street in the city where panels began falling from a building and traffic management was required.
Meanwhile OS1 took its share of the calls:
+a long-duration, 6-hour, task in Birkdale where a tree had blown down across the road taking a power pole and lines with it.
+ on its way home OS1 was diverted back to the North Shore, to trees falling in Totara Vale
+ then to power lines down in Sandringham
+ and a similar event at Ardmore.
OS 2 had responded to
+ an early morning call to Massey
+ and on to Pt Chevalier for its second \"power lines down\" call
+ mid-morning to insecure flashing on a roof at Browns Bay
+ and then went directly to Westmere where a wind-blown tree and power lines blocked the road
+ and later to power wires down in Avondale
+ and a further call to power wires down in Sandringham
Members also responded in private cars to a further call in Te Atatu to manage a \"lines down\" scenario.
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4 April 2014
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document.write("Last night saw Onehunga feature twice in the space of two hours; a significant downpour overwhelmed storm-drainage on Onehunga Harbour road, and the Fire Service was called to assist with a potentially dangerous situation: A flooded roadway was beginning to threaten a power transformer, and vehicles driving through the waters were causing water to get dangerously close to high-energy equipment. Quickly the Operational Support Unit was responded to manage the traffic, closing the bottom of Onehunga Mall to inbound traffic and allowing traffic exiting the motorway to pass in a slow and steady fashion, into this major industrial area.
Just as members were finishing up, multiple calls were received to a factory fire just around the corner. Members who had been preparing to head home, instead were deployed directly to the corner of Neilsen St and Alfred St and arrived to find a large factory well ablaze. The fire reached third-alarm level, and with assistance from members drawn from across Auckland, we provided assistance with traffic control, waterways equipment, command unit duties and served refreshments from the Canteen. Up to 16 NZFS appliances attended the blaze. Some video of the incident can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Kh2v6BlB4; between the two calls, some of our members were out from 9pm until nearly 4am.
This afternoon yet another long duration job, this one a gas main rupture on the Great South Road in Manurewa, a major throughfare. The initial turnout was shortly after 4pm, just as rush hour was kicking off; it was nearly 9pm by the time the brigade left the incident and local residents heading home from working day, could get access to their properties. ");
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31 March 2014
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Tokens for our brigade threaten to overflow
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document.write("The winner is.... Us! Today's the last day for the Z Service Stations' annual \"Good in the Hood\" promotion, and our brigade is streets ahead in the voting at Skyway Service Station, Auckland International Airport. Customers were given tokens with which they voted for 4 participating neighbourhood groups. And, on the last day, tokens for the Auckland Volunteer Fire Brigade all but overflowed, such was the support. Z gives a donation to each of the worthy groups proportionate to the voting.\"The high esteem the public has for the fire service is, without a doubt, reflected in this overwhelming support\", says Chief Fire Officer Glenn Teal \"and now we are thankful that through this Z promotion our brigade will benefit\".
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25 March 2014
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Gas escapes into the still morning air from a building on the Tunnel project
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document.write("... and all before breakfast! 3 morning calls had members busy today. A suspicious fire in a Scout Den at Henderson severely damaged some of its structure and contents, though fire-fighters can be credited with a good save. A car-versus-power pole crash in Glen Innes brought live wires down across the road: members undertook traffic management until the scene was made safe. Then the Brigade was on the road again, to the site works for the Waterview tunnel where 1,000 litres of hydrochloric acid had been spilled within a contained area. A gas cloud formed and drifted across Avondale residential areas: police closed surrounding streets. The situation drew a major response from emergency services, civil defence, pollution control and the contractors for the billion dollar tunnel project. Our members staffed the mobile canteen on site, preparing meals for fire-fighters until late afternoon. And while the Waterview event was in progress we attended a persons-trapped motor vehicle accident near Patumahoe in South Auckland. ");
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22 March 2014
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Members line up for compulsory boot wash after working in flood waters
Pump out, mop up and clean up: salvage operations
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document.write("Members joined salvage operations in Auckland's main street this morning after a water main burst, flooding basements in several premises. Queen Street was closed by emergency vehicles, WaterCare and work trucks blocking all lanes. On top of which firefighters had a hose across the road. Underground, members assisted pumping efforts while up on the street others were engaged in traffic management and canteen duties. ");
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18 March 2014
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Tokens in the right-hand container are cast for our Brigade.
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document.write("The Brigade was chosen as one of the participants in Z Service Stations' annual \"Good in the Hood\" promotion, and our brigade will benefit in proportion to customers' votes at the Skyway Service station, Auckland International Airport. Customers are given tokens which they use to vote for the 4 participating neighbourhood groups. And so far, just halfway through the promotion, customers favour our Brigade. \"I think tokens for the Auckland Volunteer Fire Brigade will overflow before month's end\", says station management. Those who can't visit Z Skyway at Mangere in person can earn extra tokens for the cause by playing the on-line games at http://z.co.nz/TokenHunt. ");
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15 March 2014
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Hobson Street blocked by appliances during the evening commute
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document.write("The Brigade's weekend began with a flurry of calls overnight - and none connected with Cyclone Lusi and the anticipated workload it may generate as it passes across the region. Late yesterday afternoon a fire in a restaurant of a downtown high-rise apartment block escalated to a 3rd Alarm, necessitating Hobson Street to be closed during the evening traffic commute. Members assisted at surrounding intersections to help clear traffic: Hobson Street is one of the busiest stretches of urban road in New Zealand. Our brigade carried out a full range of duties during the long-duration job, including attendance of the canteen vehicle. At the same time other members attended an animal rescue in West Auckland and within hours Eastern members assisted at a classroom on fire at Pakuranga College. In the early hours we were turning out again: the canteen vehicle responded to a bush and scrub fire at Onewhero in South Auckland. ");
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14 March 2014
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document.write("Civil Defence and Emergency Services have been busy over the last few days, preparing for Cyclone Lusi - which is now bearing down on Northland and due to hit most of the North Island tomorrow, with heavy rains and wind gusts beyond 120km/h in the forecast. Auckland Operational Support are also operating at an elevated alert level, with crews standing by to assist across the region.
In amongst all of this, the call count for Friday stands at 4; we turned out as part of a HAZMAT response in Otara, were heavily engaged at a 3rd alarm fire below a large apartment block in Auckland CBD right on rush hour, and simultaneously assisted with the rescue of a horse trapped in mud in Westgate. Then, just before 11pm we finished the day with well-involved classroom fire in Pakuranga. ");
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19 February 2014
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Image shows exactly how close the now badly-damaged Toyota wagon came to potentially explosive end.
Auckland Operational Support 3 helps block the Great South Road on Monday morning.
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document.write("Wednesday is not-yet-over and the call count for the week has already reached the half-dozen. Members responded to a serious motor vehicle accident in Manukau around 11.30pm on Sunday night, 2 cars involved, 2 motorists seriously injured with extrication required for the trapped driver of one of the vehicles. The drivers of both vehicles, as well as the duty staff of the Caltex service station at the corner of Te Irirangi Drive and Great South Road, were no doubt grateful that one of the vehicles missed a gas main by mere centimeters (not to mention the petrol bowsers)!
Other incidents attended this week include a greater-alarm fire at the paper recycling center in Penrose; a HAZMAT incident in Parakai; a gas leak in Flat Bush; A motor vehicle accident in Epsom and a lines-down call in Hobsonville. With the week half-over, we wonder what it'll be next? ");
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8 February 2014
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Member Matt Walker coaches a 3 year old during her Challenge attempt
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document.write("An array of the community's emergency, rescue and medical services demonstrated their vehicles, equipment and skills at today's Staying Alive Expo at the Cloud on Auckland's waterfront. Crowds thronged the wharf all day to watch fire safety demonstrations, coastguard rescues in the harbour, Urban Search and Rescue experts using special saws to cut through concrete like butter and the opportunity to look over the Navy's Inshore Patrol Vessel, Hawea. Members combined with Silverdale counterparts to provide support services: safety and security during demonstrations, traffic management and a team who prepared meals on the mobile canteen. A task added at the last minute engaged some members assisting with the Junior Combat Challenge: the kids' chance to do what real firefighters do! ");
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4 February 2014
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Fire sweeps through the upper floor, C.C. Interiors
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document.write("Today the brigade's been back, twice, to the scene of the overnight 4th Alarm at St Johns. The first request was to assist with traffic management in industrial estate along the no-exit Hannigan Drive. As industry and commerce resumed for all the other premises in the street there was a problem with through-traffic and fire-fighting requirements. Damping down and putting out small pockets of fire continued some 8 hours after the fire first broke out. Then, mid-afternoon, members returned to the scene to replenish refreshments for fire-fighters still engaged in the long task of ensuring there were no further outbreaks in the debris.. ");
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4 February 2014
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The 10m. boat on fire in the estuary, upper reaches, Waitemata Harbour
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document.write("While the major 4th Alarm fire was consuming C.C. Interiors in the east, firefighters from western stations were engaged in a 2nd Alarm blaze in Glendene. A 10 meter boat was alight near the shipyards off Akatea Road on the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour. Some members on their way to the 4th Alarm fire at St Johns diverted across Auckland to respond to the boat fire which was dealt to by both water-borne and land-side fire crews. Some members, having completed duties at Glendene resumed the turnout to C.C. Interiors to assist at the long-duration event at St Johns ");
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4 February 2014
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Fire consumes the warehouse/showrooms of C.C. Interiors
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document.write("Fire swept through the large warehouse/showroom of CC interiors overnight, destroying the complex. A 4th Alarm was transmitted when it was plain the building, in Hannigan Drive, St Johns, was quickly being engulfed, threatening premises on either side. Flames lit up the inside of the warehouse and showrooms and, fed on interior furnishings, lighting and fabrics, soon broke out on all sides with parts of the building collapsing. Water had to be piped into the light industrial estate to provide sufficient supplies for fire-fighting. Members closed surrounding roads, provided canteen services, assisted at Incident Command and maintained cordons, among other duties. ");
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20 January 2014
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Debris litters View Road: a long clean-up job
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document.write("The Brigade's busy weekend concluded with a call to a spectacular mid-evening motor accident in View Road, Mt Eden. Although no one was trapped in the crashed car, nor seriously injured, the crash left wreckage strewn across the road: members closed the road until the scene was cleaned up and a fallen power pole removed. Debris resulted when the car crashed into a parked car, a bus stop and a power pole. ");
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19 January 2014
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The house in Tilberg Street, Favona, was severely damaged
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document.write("Members were called out to another serious house fire this afternoon, this time in the southern suburb of Favona. The modern home, one in a recent sub-division, was situated down an alleyway requiring long hose-lines to be run out so firefighters could get water to the fire. Family members, home at the time the blaze broke out, managed to safely leave the house, but they lost everything in the flames.
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19 January 2014
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Occupants of this Mt Roskill house were alerted by a smoke alarm
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document.write("Members responded this morning to support fire-fighters from Western suburb stations, assisting at a 2nd Alarm house fire in Mt Roskill . A smoke alarm in the basement, seat of the fire, alerted the sleeping occupants upstairs who made good their escape. Fire-fighters later rescued the couple's dog. And just as this call was winding down members were responding to Waitakere, requested for traffic management while a serious oil spillage at Taupaki was made safe. ");
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12 January 2014
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Smoke billows from the classrooms' eaves and roof into the early morning sky
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document.write("This morning's third alarm call, just before 6am, summoned reinforcements to Richmond Road Primary School in the inner suburb of Grey Lynn where a block of classrooms was on fire. Flames and smoke at one end of the building greeted fire-fighters who limited fire-spread within the building and stopped it reaching adjacent classrooms. Members closed Richmond Road, assisted at the Command and Breathing Apparatus units, provided refreshments from the mobile canteen and maintained security at what turned out to be suspicious fire. Fire investigation officers and detectives were on the scene from an early hour and have since confirmed in media statements that the fire was deliberately lit, along with an earlier blaze in a tree within the school grounds. ");
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8 January 2014
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Out of control, the car spun, ending on top of a brick fence
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document.write("Members assisted at 2 serious motor crashes in the past 24 hours: both involved extrication from the wreckage and both involved out-of-control vehicles. The first, in Mulgan Street, New Windsor, in the early hours of yesterday occurred when the driver of a car lost control, mounted the footpath, took out a tree before ramming a pole which snapped at the base, bringing down power lines. Fire-fighters undertook extrication while police searched the neighbourhood for other occupants. Last night's crash was in busy Rosebank Road at evening peak traffic time. A car left the road, crossed the carriageway, taking out a fence before somehow spinning round and becoming lodged on top of a brick fence. Several people were extricated and taken to hospital. At both incidents members provided scene protection, maintained road blocks and traffic management. ");
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6 January 2014
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Fire-fighting operations focussed on the rear of the building
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document.write("Today's lunchtime fire that ripped through unoccupied first floor offices in Manurewa is being treated as suspicious. Fire-fighters escalated the event to a third alarm - members responded in 2 appliances and the canteen. Portions of Great South Road and Hill Road were closed because firstly, to enable fire-fighting operations, and secondly because it was being treated as a crime scene. The building involved comprises shops along the Great South Road street frontage, which were largely undamaged, while at the rear there's a health clinic and unoccupied offices above, all of which were affected by fire, heat, smoke or water. ");
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3 January 2014
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Debris, stones as big as footballs, washed down the vertical cliff face
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document.write("Members were back at Karekare today, asked to assist at the mop-up of yesterday's scrub fire. A helicopter was again used to dump water on pockets of fire located on steep slopes high above the road. Trouble was the run-off flushed down stones, plants and other debris which landed on the road making it dangerous for traffic or pedestrians. Members closed the road either side of the debris and also assisted with scene protection at the 'dipping point\", where the helicopter's monsoon bucket was scooping fire-fighting supplies. Operations continued until late afternoon.
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2 January 2014
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Helicopter with monsoon bucket douses the Karekare scrubfire.
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document.write("The fire that engaged fire-fighters for most of the afternoon at Karekare appears to have been extinguished before nightfall. The blaze swept up, and along, a cliff face opposite the waterfall at the popular west coast beach. Fire-fighters were withdrawn from the scene when 2 helicopters began to dump water on the fire causing rocks and debris to dislodge, falling on the road below. It will probably remain closed overnight. All fire-fighting was called off at nightfall - there will be inspections of the site in the morning. The Brigade sent the Canteen and two other vehicles to assist. ");
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2 January 2014
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Fire in the ranges above Karekare
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document.write("Fire-fighters are tackling a blaze in hills above Karekare village on Auckland's West Coast. A helicopter with monsoon bucket is assisting fighting the fire which has a wide front and, fanned by a breeze, is sweeping up bush-clad hills. Members are on site assisting with traffic control and are working from the canteen to provide refreshments. ");
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2 January 2014
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Glen Eden: \"Smoke in vicinity\" led to a shop-fire
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document.write("A Glen Eden shop was gutted in the early hours of the morning after a fire which is being treated as suspicious. Initially the Brigade responded to smoke in the vicinity but on arrival found the shop well involved. Members provided lighting and refreshments at the scene. They also assisted the Police in a general security sweep of the surrounding area following evidence of other fires in rubbish bins. ");
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1 January 2014
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UFBA Conference. CFO Glenn Teal led the Brigade's task to host the event.
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document.write("2013 ended with 558 calls for the calendar year: the usual house fires, motor vehicle accidents, gas leaks, rescues, and haz mat incidents. Last summer's drought was the notable feature of 2013. Our brigade had already geared up with pre-emptive measures, Operation Parched, to meet contingences. The long dry period was punctuated by 2 \"campaign fires\" at Tapora and near Dome Valley... both were rural fires, both in the North of our area and both lasted some days with continuous attendance, in shifts, by our members. Then there was a major bush fire, threatening houses in Clendon, South Auckland. But the Brigade's busiest event of the year, by far, was off the fireground: it was the project to host 500 delegates and partners attending the United Fire Brigades' Association's Annual Conference in November. Almost the whole brigade was involved one way or another, the first time Operational Support or Fire Police had hosted this event. The conference organisers and delegates acclaimed it as an all-round success. And on top of that it was our birthday with appropriate celebrations in September to mark a milestone - our 80th anniversary. And just one hour into the New Year the first call for 2014 was paged... members responded to, and closed, Gladstone Road, Parnell, to protect a hose-line being used to fight a fire sweeping through bush along the railway embankment.
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