Record call-outs for brigade despite fire ban

Mangawhai chief fire officer Maurie Doughty.

There have been a record number of call-outs for the Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigade over the holiday period with 18 so far this month – all of them genuine. 

“Three call-outs were medical and there were also call-outs for a fire at the estuary near the pontoon which was left unattended, power lines being down, and a scrub fire started by fireworks,” says Mangawhai chief fire officer Maurie Doughty. “We would like to remind people that there is a restricted fire ban on at the moment and no open fires are allowed without a permit.” 

Mr Doughty says it is standard practice for two crews to attend fire call-outs, which is why Kaiwaka firefighters attended the recent Mangawhai Tavern fire. 

“The Maungaturoto crew provided back-up for Mangawhai due to short staffing. However our recruiting drive for new volunteers has gone well and we have had a good response. We have six new recruits on board for staff training and our door is always open for new volunteers.”

- Julia West