Wainuiomata Bush Fire Force

The Force was formed in 1970 to assist the Brigade with fighting scrub fires. This has changed since the Force came under the control of the Hutt City Council. Fires outside urban areas are now the responsibility of the HCC, of which Wainuiomata is a part, and the Force is required to take command of all vegetation fires to which it is called. The Brigade still responds first, and can stay to assist. The rural area overseen by the Force means that it works with the seven different fire brigades of the New Zealand Fire Service that have districts overlapping Hutt City. However, there´s no place like home, and working with our own Brigade!

The HCC is one of some 80 Rural Fire Authorities (RFA´s) in New Zealand, and there are about 220 Voluntary Rural Fire Forces, with 3,500 volunteers, like the Force. RFA´s function under different legislation to the Fire Service, and have responsibility for about 89% of the land area of NZ. In total, there are about 11,000 part-time rural firefighters.

The Force normally numbers 40 volunteer firefighters, and is lead by the Controller (who is also Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer of HCC) and seven other officers. It has five light 4WD vehicles, with six portable pumps, and normally rolls with about 2.5 km of hose. Equipment is quite different to that of the Brigade. Most suppression action involves working in the black, relay-pumping water up the flanks of fires to reach the head. Helicopters and monsoon buckets can be called in to slow fire spread.

As one of the oldest forces in the country, the WBF has pioneered many techniques in local scrub fire suppression. These include intensive radio communications, Class A foam use, forward computer control of resources, and GPS. Members continue to play a leading role in the Forest and Rural Fire Association of New Zealand. In recent years under the umbrella of FRFANZ, they have introduced national fire competitions, service honours for rural firefighters, and issue a quarterly newsletter on rural fire matters.

Further Information About The Bush Fire Force and Joining can be found on their website

www.huttcity.com/wainuiomatabushfireforce

Controller: Gavin Wallace

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