Week three...back to work...

Well my holiday had to come to an end... I officially started my first shift with the New Zealand fire service on Sunday. Lots to learn. Tons of different stuff from their equipment down to their procedures and techniques. Here are some of the ways they differ from Ottawa:

- NO above ground hydrants rather markings on the road to indicate water source and location
- The use of high pressure attack lines (2500-3500 kap)
- Both pump and rescue have high and low capabilities to deliver water
- Cupplings are instaneous and therefore easy remove and reconnect
- All guys get two sets of bunker gear, a work coat for non-fire related calls, bedding and towels
- Manditory 1hr of physical training daily- gym is loaded with up to date and working equipment; and
- Watch desk has 4 computers for men working and the officers have each there own!

The guys think we are crazy for performing roof operations. It is a needless risk in their eyes. Most of the dewellings are your classic bungalow style house. The windows in most of these homes are single glazed and therefore I'm told are for the most part already vented by the time we arrive. The equipment is quite similar just has a different name. The bangar is known as a 464 ladder. With these high pressure lines on reels there is no need for trash lines and for that matter no need to break off your lay as you have at your disposal 270 -300 meters to run with.

Their front line pump is a 17 meter Bronto with all the bells and whistles. The ride in this machine is the quietest drive. Not one rig back home can come close to how quiet their pump cruises around. When you press the gas you can feel the truck take off.

At a call the trucks radio and that of the guy's radios at the scene work independantly. The radio traffic is reduced significantly by removing verbal reports with numbers assigned to general terms. When on duty if you wish you can carry a pager however the station has tones and dispatch which gives you location and cross streets.

Week one is over and under my belt. The guys here are great and go out of their way to help me out. Found out I'm not the only Canadian lad working rather there is a guy from Edmonton who starts just after me. Someone to talk hockey with.

Their shift goes like this: two days followed by two nights with four off and repeats itself. On my second day we spent the afternoon cutting up a car, fun for a guy like myself (canary back home)
to see how things are done an actually partake.


The following night had my first car accident and what a sight! FYI - the driver survived the accident. Two nights later caught my first fire at a bar downtown nothing huge but it is nice to go through the paces and use what I have learned.

The fire station where I am stationned is the only paid fire station north of Auckland. The place is huge and has:

- Three drive-though bays
- Burn building at the rear
- Area to both repair SCBA and area to refill
- Typical mess hall
- Separate sleeping quarters for each man (don't hear SCRAPS snore anymore!!! LOL)
- Upstairs lounge/library
- Social hall with bar -YES ITS LOCKED
- Watch desk with 4 COMPUTERS
- Officers own room and computer
- Gym with working bikes and tread-mills

The station by far is the nicest and largest one that I have worked in and is the regional head-quaters for the rest of the north island. Just a couple of pics of the trucks.





Tune in for future work related adventures...