Canterbury Firefighters presentation

We’re here this evening to acknowledge the work of Firefighters in Canterbury during what so easily could have been a human tragedy.

It’s appropriate that I say a few words on what was a human tragedy, the Pike River Mine disaster.

Tragedies are part of the work a firefighter but nothing can prepare us for an event of this scale, particularly when our own are affected.

The Ngahere Brigade has lost its Deputy Chief Fire Officer Milton Osborne.  Firefighters have also lost loved ones - Kane Nieper was the son of Brian Nieper, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer in Reefton, and David Hoggart was the son of Tony and Christine Hoggart from Foxton.

As you would expect, the Fire Service played its part in the response.  Christchurch sent its Hazmat Command vehicle, plus staff, to support the Police in their role.

It has been a very difficult time and I know that many firefighters and other rescue personnel were devastated they couldn’t do more to help. 

These kind of tragedies remind us just how much our communities rely on emergency services, in good times and bad.

Introduction

As the Minister Responsible for the New Zealand Fire Service I’ve visited Canterbury several times since the earthquake on September 4^th. I’ve seen first-hand the work you have been doing and I have passed on the Government’s gratitude and thanks.

Tonight, Dame Margaret Bazley and I are here to give formal recognition to the brigades for the work you have been doing. We will be presenting Certificates of Commendation, on behalf of the New Zealand Fire Service Commission, for your valuable contributions.

As so often happens in times like these, we saw the best in our community as people rallied to help each other. Many firefighters suffered damage to their own homes but put aside their own needs to help others.

It wasn’t just your physical actions in demolishing chimneys and evacuating people which helped. Many residents were shaken and upset and even just the presence of uniformed firefighters gave a real boost to the community.

Glimpses and recollections

The September earthquake and the following aftershocks have now been acknowledged as the largest-ever deployment of national Fire Service resources.

Equipment was drawn from far and wide to provide relief and additional resources.

Region and area managers were rotated in and out of Christchurch, and firefighting personnel were mobilised across the country to provide a frontline and backroom response.

This included the deployment of all three USAR task forces, with over 120 personnel, operating out of the base at Woolston.

Administrative and support personnel from around the country were also called upon.

During the first four days of the earthquake, you officially responded to over 1,100 incidents. The total number of recorded incidents attended by brigades and USAR in the first two weeks reached over five and a half thousand (5,500).

Several brigades were on the go for 24 hours, dealing with more incidents in a few days than they would normally respond to within a year.

You all know, and the public appreciates, how much effort you have put into attending around 450 incidents a day in the region. This includes everything from helping at medical incidents, freeing people trapped in buildings or vehicles, knocking down chimneys and otherdangerous structures,assessing buildings and homes, identifying hazards and where possible making them safe.

Iacknowledge how difficult it must have been for many of you who have lost homes. Yet I have heard some amazing stories about many firefighters who still turned up to work and rushed off to help others in need, putting the needs of the community ahead of themselves.

Your composure and professionalism has been admirable.

I have heard nothing but positive feedback on your efforts, and when I visited the USAR base in Woolston I saw some wonderful ‘thank you’ notes from the public.

I know there is still plenty of hard work to be done before the region is fully recovered, but it is very important to recognise and celebrate the hard work done so far.

Tonight’s event is a reminder of how much our people and communities rely on you, our firefighters.

On behalf of the Government, and the people of New Zealand, thank you again for your outstanding work.