Fired up to serve community

MEDAL MEN: from left: Lex Soepnel, Neil Omundsen, Dave Shaw, Murray Gane, Jason Karauti and Christopher Brett at Te Awamutu Fire Station. 024061AD

By Grant Johnston

Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade is well off in terms of firefighting experience and dedication, but short on numbers.

The brigade has 36 personnel, but more are actually needed to cover the high number of callouts, particularly during the day time.

Lack of numbers saw a short delay in responding to Thursday’s truck crash at Ngahinapouri - but in the firefighters’ world even short delays can be crucial.

If you would like to find out more about joining the brigade contact the Fire Station on 871 6195 or Chief Fire Officer Murray Gane on 0274 930 674.

Presentation of awards recently illustrated the depth of service experience in the brigade. Life memberships were awarded to Senior Station Officer Lex Soepnel, Senior Fire Fighter Neil Omundsen, Firefighter Dave Shaw and Chief Fire Officer Murray Gane (approved by United Fire Brigades Association). Messrs Soepnel and Gane also received their Gold Star late last year.
Long Service Good Conduct Medals were awarded to Fire Fighter Shaw, Senior Fire Fighter Jason Karauti and Fire Fighter Christopher Brett - Crown medals applied for after 14 years service. Fire Fighter Lyle Nicholls was the recipient of a Gold Bar (for 27 years service) and Senior Fire Fighter Michael Kimber a Silver Bar for 21 years service.

Jason Karauti told the Courier he joined the brigade (in 1991 at the age of 20) because he wanted to give something back to the community. He had grown up with a fire-fighting background - his stepfather was a volunteer in Ashurst near Palmerston North.

“Whenever he responded to the siren we would race down to the end of the street to see where the engine was heading.”

The family moved here in ‘84.

Memorable callouts for Mr Karauti have included the factory fire at Rosetown Garments and the Dairy Factory in Hamilton, both large fires.

“Vehicle accidents involving children stay with you. People just don’t realise how (unrestrained) children become missiles in car accidents,” he says.