Wellington Operational Support Unit celebrates 125 years of serving the community
It was a night of commemoration and celebration with old friends and new, as Wellington Operational Support Unit (WOSU) marked their 125th anniversary on 15 October.
Surrounded by the brigade’s historic imagery dating back to the 1800s, it was a chance for members past and present to reflect on the brigade’s rich history and acknowledge excellence within their ranks.
Guests included Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau, UFBA Board Chair Peter Dunne, Fire and Emergency Chief Executive Kerry Gregory and National Commander Russell Wood.
‘It was fantastic to have a breadth of Fire and Emergency, UFBA and local rangatira (leadership) in the room, to share in celebrating this milestone with us’, says Cullum Peni-Wesche, a Volunteer Station Officer with WOSU.
Several awards were presented to brigade members – ranging from a three-year certificate to a 40-year certificate and a gold bar for 41 years' service. Peter Dunne and Kerry Gregory each presented a plaque to the brigade.
‘One of the plaques is made from rimu, and it’s particularly special as the rimu itself is around 120 years old. How special is it that we are gifted a taonga that is nearly as old as the unit itself!’ says Cullum.
Formalities ended with an old tradition - the oldest member of the brigade, Phil Harris, pairing up with the youngest, Dylan Wahapa, to cut the ‘fire hydrant’ cake.
About Wellington Operational Support Unit
Based out of Kilbirnie station, WOSU has a long and storied history of supporting Wellingtonians in their hour of need. It was formed in 1899 as Wellington Volunteer Fire Police Corps; after 82 years, it became the Fire Police Unit in 1981. Then, in 1995, it was called Operational Support Division, before getting its current name, Wellington Fire Service Support Unit, in 2008.
While operational firefighters tackle the incident, WOSU look after those impacted – whānau, neighbours and the wider hapori (community) – to make sure they have the wraparound services they need, including evacuation management, welfare and victim support. WOSU also provide crucial incident ground support, such as traffic management, scene safety and security, lighting and other incident logistics. Post-incident, their role includes leading the clean-up efforts after the incident, including salvaging and ensuring the incident ground is safe.
If you would like to learn more, please email wellingtonosu@fireandemergency.nz
Back row, L - R: Ethan Richardson, Simon Luke, Todd Skilton, Duncan Tabor, Kerry Gregory, Russell Wood, Blair Hillyard. Front row L - R: Alex Cousins, Phil Harris, Mark Foster, Peter Dunne, Bruce Stubbs, Cullum Peni-Wesche, Brett Lockyer
Two plaques presented to the Wellington Operational Support Unit - L: commissioned by the Unit to celebrate 125 years; R: presented to the Unit by Kerry Gregory on behalf of the Fire and Emergency Board
WOSU's Phil Harris and Dylan Wahapa cutting the fire hydrant cake
WOSU celebrations at Miramar's Roxy
Image courtesy of Todd Skilton
Image courtesy of Todd Skilton
Image courtesy of Todd Skilton
L - R: Norm Kelly, Ray Peniamina, Cullum Peni-Wesche, Rhys Edlin, Sam Gard, Todd Skilton, Stephen Lambert, Simon Luke, Bree Freeman, Kelsey Scitt, Sam van Erpers Roijaards, Blair Hillyard, Chelsea Calvert, Mark Foster, Phil Harris
Image courtesy of Todd Skilton