Fired up to serve community

COLIN MUNRO says he gets more than he gives out of being a brigade member. TC280808GJ01

Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade eager for new recruits

BY GRANT JOHNSTON

Colin Munro says he and other Te Awamutu volunteer firefighters come from diverse backgrounds but they have the same goal — to serve their community.

‘‘At the end of the day we get the opportunity to save life and property—I can think of no better way to serve my community than that.’’

Mr Munro was a volunteer firefighter with Papakura Fire Brigade from 1982-1990, when he left the brigade due to work commitments. When his new job as RX Plastics sales manager for Waikato-Bay of Plenty brought him to this area late last year, he had no hesitation in joining up with Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade. He is currently working his way through the training modules required.

Papakura was a composite brigade, with paid staff as well as volunteers, but Te Awamutu relies entirely on volunteers.

‘‘They are a great bunch of people with a wide range of vocations,’’ Mr Munro says. ‘‘We have plumbers, roofers, tanker drivers, store managers, Corrections officers, mechanics. The majority of firefighters here try to turn out 24/7.’’

Due to the variety of work situations (often depending on where they are working that day) it can be hard to achieve full turnouts to callouts during week days — prompting the brigade to launch a recruitment campaign recently. Following a front page Briefly article in the Courier, station officer Mike Kimber received six replies and two people are currently working their way through recruitment packs — but more are needed.

‘‘We need people who are generally around town during the day, who are physically and mentally fit. They and their families need to be aware of, and happy with, the commitment they are making.’’

It may sound daunting, but Mr Munro says he gets far more out of being a volunteer firefighter than he gives.

‘‘Principally, it is the satisfaction that you are serving your community in a vital and meaningful way. Other benefits include training and acquisition of skills which can be useful in employment and other areas of life, as well as the great camaraderie that exists among firefighters. There’s a strong social side to being a firefighter. There is a tremendous community spirit in Te Awamutu and this is reflected in the brigade’s great team spirit.’’

Mr Munro says some local employers are generous in allowing staff members to serve on the brigade, where they can be called away from work. He cites the example of former Fire Chief, plumber Murray Gane, who is a firefighter along with two of his staff members.

‘‘That’s a big commitment to helping your community.’’

If you want to find out more about joining Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade, contact Mike Kimber on 027 4472837. The brigade will be joining forces with Pirongia Fire Force at the annual Pirongia Cottage Craft Day on September 27 and representatives will be happy to talk to potential recruits on that day.