FIRE BRIGADE REPORT

Firefighter Tamara Hudepohl.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Muriwai Volunteer Fire Brigade following the tragic loss of two Firefighters during the recent cyclone responses, and our thoughts are with our colleagues both paid and volunteer who responded to, and are still a vital part of the ongoing cyclone recovery. The importance of these volunteers and their Fire Stations were amply demonstrated, and shown to vital to so many communities.

We were very fortunate in Martinborough to avoid the flooding, landslides and clean up required in the Eastern foothill regions surrounding us, and although we were well prepared we received no calls for help with flooding. Our Medical First Response team were ready to assist our response partner Wellington Free Ambulance with both manpower and 4WD access during this time.

I know our Firefighters and Medical Responders made considerable effort to be available to respond if required, and thank their families for supporting them during this trying time.

We are delighted to have 4 new Firefighters in our ranks, all recently having completed their recruit training courses, so we thought over the next few months we would introduce them to you, the first being Firefighter Tamara Hudepohl. 

Tamara is known to many of you who see her smiling face beaming out at Neighbourhood Coffee House. She joined a year ago, joining husband Justin, our Station Officer, in the Brigade ranks,  and quickly prepared for the challenges of her recruit course. Tamara joins the almost 50% of our brigade who are women, finding the training physicality demanding but easily managed, despite being slightly vertically challenged (she admits to being the shortest Firefighter).  She is looking forward to applying the skills she has learnt to actual fire fighting and multitude of other responses by the Brigade

Tamara says the main reason she joined, was the sense of being able to make a difference in the Community, enjoying the personal and physical challenges she faced, and Tamara is now signed up to start the 200 hour Medical First Response training in April. Tamara is keenly anticipating this course, and feels that women bring a unique empathy with them to their roles in the Brigade. One of the big attractions that drew Tamara to us, was the sense of a family atmosphere she found at the Brigade. 

We may have a couple of slots left in the Medical First Response Training Course which starts in April, if you are interested in this or being a Firefighter come down on a Tuesday night and have a chat with us.

If you have any queries about assistance or response please don’t hesitate to contact me directly – CFO Jake Hawkins – 0272-559-