New East Coast Bays Fire Station officially opened

East Coast Bays Fire Station, in North Shore, Auckland, was opened by Internal Affairs Minister Hon. Jan Tinetti on Saturday.

The East Coast Bays area is mostly residential, with a large new housing development in Long Bay and another large industrial commercial park in Rosedale. The old station, a two-bay garage attached to the side of a 4-bedroom house with a ‘portacom’ accommodating its volunteers, was no longer fit for purpose.

To meet the operational need of an expanding community, a new site at 984 East Coast Road, Northcross (4.5km from the old station) was selected for its convenient access to main arterial routes. The East Coast Bays appliance will respond as second appliance to Silverdale when required.

The new station has three appliance bays, accommodation and living area, working space for both career and volunteers, training/conference facility, onsite gymnasium, and decontamination facilities. The station is built to meet Importance Level 4 (IL4) construction standard, which means it will remain operational after a major earthquake. It is eco-friendly with double glazing, thermal insulation and drains that collect run off water to be used for training and wash downs.

In her speech, Minister Tinetti spoke of her personal connections to East Coast Bays. She thanked both career and volunteer firefighters for keeping the community strong, resilient and safe, and acknowledged the commitment of life honorary brigade members and some families who have been involved in firefighting for generations. She also noted the brigade’s participation in the Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge in May.

National Commander Kerry Gregory said the station was one of the country’s 36 composite stations, and that it was a testament to the whakataukī on the plaque he unveiled: Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, Engari he toa takitini (My strength is not as an individual but is united as a collective).

Minister Tinetti, Whaea Leila Te Tai (Ngati Whatua) and Kerry Gregory wrapped up the ceremony by planting a tree on the property.

The event was also attended by Ngāti Whatua Maatua Fraser Toi and Whaea Cherie Povey, MP for East Coast Bays Erica Stanford, Fire and Emergency region and area leadership, along with members of the local brigade and members of the community.

Celebrating the opening of the new East Coast Bays station in Auckland.

Kowhai tree planted outside the new station. L-R: Minister Jan Tinetti, Whaea Leila Te Tai (Ngati Whatua), Waitemata Area Commander Murray Binning, and National Commander Kerry Gregory.