New fire truck for Heretaunga Volunteer Fire Brigade

Heretaunga Volunteer Fire Brigade in the Hawke’s Bay is excited about their new Isuzu appliance and all its mod cons, said Brigade Controller Hamish (T) Hanara. 

“We are fortunate to be a busy brigade and it is excellent to have this new truck at our disposal. It has more modern equipment and technology than our old truck, and carries an extra 1000 litres of water.” 

Bernard Downey, Fleet Coordinator for Hawkes Bay, exchanged appliance keys with T as the new appliance was commissioned and the old one was cascaded to the Waimarino Volunteer Brigade in Taranaki.

Reverend Wayne Toleafoa conducted the blessing of the appliance at a small function attended by past, present and life honorary members of the brigade and other dignitaries. 

Gordon Foster, Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer, was a member of the Heretaunga Brigade when the brigade raised $120,000 and Hastings Council contributed $80,000 to design and build the old appliance back in 2005 and, he said, the “crew are sad to see her going”. 

“I’m sure the Waimarino Brigade will get a lot of good service from our old one which runs very well.” 

T said the brigade is co-located at the main Hastings Fire Station after moving from their old base at Hastings Council in 2017 when Fire and Emergency was formed.

“We are a vegetation specialist brigade, so we are particularly busy over the summer and provide support to incidents throughout the Hawkes Bay. We also provided support at the big Tasman fire in Nelson in 2019. 

“Some brigade members have also supported the New Zealand international deployments to North America and Australia.”