www.nor-westnews.co.nz Thursday, October 28, 2010 Fighting fires 40 years By CAROLYN THOMAS MANY things have changed since 1970. But not the Kumeu Volun- teer Fire Brigade’s commit- ment to the community. Members are celebrating 40 years of fighting fires, saving lives and protecting livelihoods this Saturday. All are welcome to an open day at the station from 11am to 2pm. The line-up will include demonstrations and tours. Foundation member Brian Bracey is the brigade’s longest serving firefighter with 33 years on the pumps. He remembers the early days well. It began when 14 men from the district gathered to form the rural service. The first station opened in 1970 at the Huapai library site. ‘‘We built it by hand over a weekend,’’ Brian says. ‘‘There was no problem get- ting stuff donated.’’ A 1930s Ford V8 was the first fire truck. It had to be push-started at times. ‘‘We’d be running it down the slope.’’ Early appliances including a Bedford and ex-army Changing times: The Kumeu Volunteer Fire Brigade is celebrating 40 years of service to the community. vehicle didn’t carry water. Pictured at the front are the oldest and youngest serving members Mike Langley, 70, and Alana ‘‘We’d have to find a creek Morgan, 19. Photo: POSITIVE NEGATIVES and dig a hole to get a pump in.’’ Jaws of life equipment was Open roads, the bush and also purchased that year. beaches have kept the crew Another milestone was in busy with most also holding 1988 when the first female down fulltime jobs. member Sue Burnside joined. A Kumeu fire in 1972 Brian says there was some fuelled by the explosion of 12 resistance by the brigade but gas cylinders had an impact she soon proved her worth. nationally. ‘‘Our boys were boys,’’ he Firefighters Robin Smith says. and Mike Mannington both Community minded: The longest-serving member Brian ‘‘But you’d say hey this lost a leg in the incident. Bracey still helps around the station after fighting fires woman is pretty good.’’ ‘‘New Zealand-wide they for 33 years. Photo: CAROLYN THOMAS Brian is also a Justice of realised the danger of gas the Peace, marriage celebrant bottles.’’ 46-year-old member John Presley.’’ and is in the Lions club and Brian says the community Reesink died in 1998 after It is certainly not all bad says members generally like response was amazing with having a heart attack on the memories though. helping others. people rallying around the job. Fundraising efforts helped He says it’s been a privi- two men and their young Brian also recalls ending pay for a new station in 1981 lege to meet people, make families. up in hospital after inhaling on the other side of State lifelong friends and serve the ‘‘We were pretty devas- toxic fumes when his mask Highway 16. Some members community. tated,’’ Brian says. had not sealed around his even took out personal loans ‘‘It was a shock for us – the hair. to complete it. ❚ The brigade is looking for Strong foundations: Among the 14 founding members are from danger of firefighting.’’ ‘‘In my early days I had big ‘‘We didn’t have enough new recruits. Information is back left: Ian Bracey, Stan Hopkins, Robin Smith, Mike Mannington Another blow was when bushy sideburns like Elvis money for a social room.’’ available at the station. and John Nixon. Front from left: Stuart Darroch and Eric Ernshaw. 2 NOR-WEST NEWS, OCTOBER 28, 2010 NEWS Business in Hong Kong www.nor-westnews.co.nz Offi ce Aspiring global business Jesse is in his third year of business scenarios before leader Jesse Thomas is off to a joint business and science deciding on solutions and Ph 412 8589 Hong Kong this month to rep- degree at the university’s courses of action. Fax 412 7806 resent New Zealand in an Albany campus. The team qualified after a Hours: 8.30am – 5pm Editor international competition. He says competition will be strong performance in the Rani Timoti The Kumeu resident is tough. National Business Case Com- email: [email protected] taking part in the Citi Inter- ‘‘We have to sit in a room for petition. 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Police ran a checkpoint in He kicks off his doughnut Kumeu targeting drink drivers sales at Parakai School gala on Saturday night. Constable this Saturday. Mike Collins says it was All proceeds go to the disappointing that many organisation which helped drivers were over the limit. the Helensville resident when his wife Linden died from Break-ins cancer five years ago. He had been thinking of The Waimauku RSA and a fundraising ideas for a while childcare centre in Kumeu and hopes his doughnuts are were burgled over Labour a hit. Weekend. A house in South ‘‘At the Helensville A and P Head was also hit on Friday. show, the doughnut stand had queues all day,’’ Mr Call-outs Hamilton, 69, says. The retired Air New Zea- Fire crews worked with land engineer of 34 years ambulance staff to free a bought a doughnut machine trapped woman after her car for about $7000 and had a rolled 15 metres down a trailer custom built. bank. It happened on October ‘‘They tell me it can make 14 on Taylors Rd about 4pm. 1200 an hour.’’ The woman was the vehicle’s Sponsorship from The sole occupant and was taken Duke of Albany Lodge, to North Shore Hospital. Weathersfield Organics, The Kumeu brigade was also Oikoumene Building Sup- called to a scrub fire on Coast plies and Foster Signs helped Rd in Muriwai on Sunday.