Fighting Fires 50 years

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

They started saving lives from a little, old shed now replaced by Huapai library.

The firefighters later raised funds to help pay for a new station in 1981 on the other side of Main Rd.

Six founding members even offered to be guarantors on a bank loan to build the station for the Kumeu Volunteer Fire Brigade.

"We were short of $5000 for the whole deal for the land and station to go ahead," said life member Brian Bracey of Huapai.

"That was a lot of money for us back then but we thought, hey, we've got to do this."

Today they still put others first as they prepare for the brigade's 50th anniversary on October 22.

"It's a celebration of the last 50 years and thanking all the families and supporters," Chief fire officer Bex Baddeley said.

Bracey, 74, is one of the longest serving members with 33 years on the pumps.

Brigade members avoided having to pay back the $5000., he said.

" We managed by working hard and getting good deals for the build and finding ways to cut the cost.

Instead of going to a painter we had to paint the station as a working bee. "

The brigade started with 12 volunteers who raced to 33 callouts in the first year.

This has grown to more than 30 members facing 400 calls each year.

Most of the volunteers juggle firefighting with the demands of raising families and holding full-time jobs.

They leave their desks to dash to blazes and car crashes when the fire siren sounds.

"It's a very big commitment especially when we're such a busy brigade," Baddeley said.

Former members and supporters are invited to the station at 331 Main Rd on October 22.

The United Fire Brigades Association will present an official plaque to mark the 50 year anniversary at 6pm.

A formal dinner follows on October 24 at Kumeu Showgrounds at 5.30 pm.

Firefighters will be recognised with the prestigious brigade honours.

This is an invitation only event but people keen to attend can also buy tickets from the brigade.