Supporting North Canterbury's volunteer firefighters
After 36 years as a firefighter, Colin Russell still vividly remembers the first fatal incident he attended – for all the wrong reasons.
He was still a teenager, a fresh recruit as an urban officer in Dunedin, and was called out when a pedestrian was fatally struck by a car at a busy intersection. The scene was gruesome.
“[I] sort of put [myself] in his place – just walking along the street in town and then next thing boom.
“All those thoughts run through your head when you put yourself in his space and that's not where you want to go.”
Things were different in those days. Russell received little support and was told to brush it aside and enjoy a cup of tea after returning to the station.
Nowadays, Russell is the operational readiness and support manager for 16 volunteer brigades in the Hurunui and Kaikōura areas, overseeing about 300 people.
The role was formed in September following a national restructure at Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz).
Russell said Fenz had recognised the need for welfare and support a few years ago, particularly after the Canterbury earthquakes.
“There are very good support systems in place [now].”
Russell, armed with a bachelor degree in psychology, could draw on his many experiences to help for the volunteers under his command.
Rural firefighters and those in small towns were often the most affected by trauma, as there were “only one or two degrees of separation” between them and the person they were helping, he said.
“[I’m] making sure they've got the support in the brigades, so they know they can reach out and get some help.”
After his start as an urban officer in Dunedin, Russell spent 25 years in Invercargill and became a manager. In 2011, he was called in to help with the response to the Canterbury earthquakes – the largest event he had ever had to cover.
“Just the scale of that – you're never going to forget that.”
Russell became an officer development manager in Rotorua, where he helped train of firefighters in incident management and leadership for three years.
“The great thing was you got to connect with the whole country ... it was really cool to put a finger out to all these little brigades and meet people.
He then began a managerial role in Christchurch, mainly working on forming policies, but he yearned to be in the community and helping frontline staff. He achieved that when he took on the role supporting the Hurunui and Kaikōura volunteers.
“[I was] doing some significant work in the big picture stuff, but you have to be careful to keep it balanced and remembering where you came from.”
In the little spare time Russell has, he can usually be found on the golf course or digging into his numerous studies.
It was important for firefighters to have hobbies to unwind from the pressures of the job, he said.
So far, he has completed a diploma in sports studies, a post graduate diploma in emergency management, a bachelor of psychology, and a few other management qualifications.
“I'm always in that learning mode. Study almost becomes a hobby, I always joke that I’ve spent 25 years at university,” he said.
“It's been a bit of a distraction as well because you get to focus on whatever you're learning at that particular time.”
Russell planned to do more study in the new year, but his key focus was returning to work and doing all he could to support the North Canterbury community and his firefighting “family”.
“Thirty-six years later I'm still here and loving it and not looking at doing anything different.
“You really feel a sense of worth that the job you're doing for the community fills that need ... there's purpose in abundance.”
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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63.6% Yes
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33.9% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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