Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade Responds to Record Number of Calls

Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade has responded to 295 emergency calls so far this year, with the busiest fortnight occurring in mid-November when the brigade handled 21 calls in just two weeks. These included seven false alarms, five motor vehicle crashes (two requiring rescue equipment extraction), eight fire calls, and one fallen tree incident on Poplar Lane causing power line arcing.

Between September and mid-November alone, brigade members have logged approximately 200 hours of service per person on top of their regular jobs and family commitments. During this period, they attended training nights, held their annual honours night, supported neighbouring brigades, hosted workshops and mock crash rescues for the Right Track Programme, and participated in various community events including the Baptist Church Oktoberfest and the Emergency Services Food Bank Drive.

Brigade Chief Dale Lindsay emphasised the strain placed on volunteers by the growing number of calls, noting that the brigade now responds to more than 320 emergency calls annually—an average of more than six per week. While committed to community involvement, the brigade has had to occasionally decline requests due to capacity constraints. Lindsay expressed gratitude for ongoing community support and understanding.

Originally published in Te Puke News by Sun Media.