Raymond (Ray) Walker

It is with a heavy heart that the Woodville Volunteer Fire Brigade announce the passing of retired C.F.O Raymond Walker.

Ray joined the Woodville Volunteer Fire Brigade on 23 October 1967, working his way through and obtaining the rank of Deputy Chief Fire Officer in 1978.  In 1983 Ray was appointed to Chief Fire Officer, a position he held up to his retirement from the brigade on the 31July 2006.  Ray also obtained his 25-year Gold Star on the 23 October 1992, making him the 21st person in the brigade’s long history to get this medal. Ray gave a total of 38.8 years’ service to the New Zealand Fire Service and the community of Woodville.

During Ray's time in charge of the Woodville Volunteer Fire Brigade he was involved in leading many significant incidents and training events, incidents such as the tragic accident of Woodville 431 on Hall Block Road, and Ansett Flight 703 which crashed on top of the Tararua Range, and training events such as Operation Whariti (1995) and Operation Maxwell (2004), both a 24 hour fire-fighting exercise.

Our condolences go out to the Walker family and Ray's friends.  Rest peacefully Ray.