Taradale Volunteer Fire Brigade

The brand new replacement for Taradale 551 sits outside the station waiting for fitout and training.

To Bryan Gilbentson who was awarded a Life Honorary Membership of the Taradale Volunteer Fire Brigade on Monday 12th of January, 2009. Bryan has been involved from back when the brigade was based in Meeanee and since retiring from active service (19 years service) has continued on with help, assistance and ongoing support around the Taradale station.

Taradale responded to 1x 4th alarm, 6x 3rd alarms, and 1x 2nd alarm in 2008. For some of the big calls the hoselayer has responded on the 2nd alarm with 551 going as the call then got upgraded to a 3rd alarm.

They are as follows:

21 January, 23:09 Structure Fire at G&H Training, Ford Road
Napier responded to smoke in the area and on arrival found the building well involved. 5512 went on the 2nd alarm with 551 responding 3 minutes later when the 3rd alarm was transmitted.

09 February, 05:25 Structure Fire at Napier Pine, Tyne Street
Napier could see the large fire as they left their station and upgraded straight away. 5512 was called followed by 551 one minute later. There are no photos of this call - I was on 5512 and all the other photographers slept through it.

14 May, 04:55 Structure Fire at Valentines Restaurant
Napier transmitted a 2nd alarm when they arrived at a PFA at Valentines Restaurant, Tennyson Street, Napier, and found the building alight. 5512 responded.

05 June, 06:10 Structure Fire at Latinos, Hastings Street
5512 responded on the 2nd alarm followed by 551 at 07:02 when the 3rd alarm was transmitted for more crews.

17 July, 09:13 Structure fire ENZA Coolstore
The big day. Hastings responded to a coolstore fire that was well alight as they were K1. 5512 responded on the 2nd alarm and the incident went to a 4th alarm.

17 July, 11:17 Structure at Ludowici Packaging
Fallout from the 4th alarm ENZA coolstore fire ignited fruit trays further down the road at Ludowici Packaging. One pump sent from the ENZA fire to investigate quickly transmitted a 2nd and then 3rd alarm. 551 responded while 5512 was still in attendance down the road at the coolstore.

15 September, 13:44 Helicopter crash, Puketitiri Road
A crop spraying helicopter hitting power lines and crashing caused a search followed by a 3rd alarm call. The scene was several KM up an access road and over a bridge unable to be crossed by appliances. Media vehicles and farm bikes carried crew and equipment to the scene.

17 September, 04:36 House fire in Wellesley Road
A well involved house with a second house only feet away quickly went to 2nd alarm in Napier. 5512 responded along with Napier volunteers, Fire Police, and the Hastings command unit. 551 was then responded to a false alarm at Napier Intermediate caused by drifting smoke. 551 was called to Wellesley Road when a 3rd alarm was transmitted at 05:14. More images are at KAMPIC.

03 November, 21:46 Structure fire Napier Road, Havelock North
5512 responded on the 3rd alarm to a fire in fruit bins, Napier Road, Havelock North. Call details are in this post and images are at KAMPIC.

When we roll the calls over to 2009 we plan to make some changes to enhance some features with them. They have worked well with over 1500 calls now in the database but it’s time to add some features. More as we get it coded.