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26 April 2024
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Fire stations of the world: Athol Fire Station, New Zealand
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Athol’s new fire station was officially opened in 2021, putting the final seal on a $1,5 million project that has provided the volunteer fire brigade with a purpose-built facility in northern Southland. The new station is home to the Athol Volunteer Fire Brigade, whose members began operating from the new building in June. It includes a double engine bay for the brigade’s two appliances, operations room and heated locker room, facilities for cleaning personal protective equipment, a meeting room and kitchen, showers and toilets.
A generator has also been installed to keep the building operational in the event of a power outage in the town.
Most of the funding for the new fire station came from the COVID Response and Recovery Fund.
Fire and Emergency Board Chair Rebecca Keoghan said that the organisation was committed to supporting volunteer firefighters and their communities with facilities that were fit for purpose. She thanked employers who released their staff to respond to calls during work hours, noting that Athol was one of 695 volunteer brigades around the country who respond to fires, motor vehicle crashes, medical events, flooding and other types of emergencies.
Ms Keoghan said that fire brigades also had an important role to play in helping communities to be resilient, through activities like home fire safety visits.
Internal Affairs Minister Hon. Jan Tinetti cut the ribbon at the new fire station.
Fire chief Rob Durling said the new base for Fire and Emergency New Zealand had been welcomed by the district. “It’s unbelievable the effect it’s had on the crew ... a huge morale boost. This building is what we needed, it’s fantastic.”
It would help the station’s recruiting campaigns, Durling added.
The Government contributed $1,4 million through its Shovel Ready Projects fund to the new building, while the remaining $200 000 was provided by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
The old station was a two-bay building that only had basic heating installed three years ago. As well as housing a fire truck and a first responder ute, it had a toilet, some bench seats and table for computer equipment.
“With our IT [gear] we had to battle with cluster flies and mice at times to get it going,” Durling said. “The new building is really a leap into the 21st Century.”
It is nearly four times bigger than the old building, increasing from 80 square metres to 318 square metres.
Sources: Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Cook Brothers Construction, Stuff
A generator has also been installed to keep the building operational in the event of a power outage in the town.
Most of the funding for the new fire station came from the COVID Response and Recovery Fund.
Fire and Emergency Board Chair Rebecca Keoghan said that the organisation was committed to supporting volunteer firefighters and their communities with facilities that were fit for purpose. She thanked employers who released their staff to respond to calls during work hours, noting that Athol was one of 695 volunteer brigades around the country who respond to fires, motor vehicle crashes, medical events, flooding and other types of emergencies.
Ms Keoghan said that fire brigades also had an important role to play in helping communities to be resilient, through activities like home fire safety visits.
Internal Affairs Minister Hon. Jan Tinetti cut the ribbon at the new fire station.
Fire chief Rob Durling said the new base for Fire and Emergency New Zealand had been welcomed by the district. “It’s unbelievable the effect it’s had on the crew ... a huge morale boost. This building is what we needed, it’s fantastic.”
It would help the station’s recruiting campaigns, Durling added.
The Government contributed $1,4 million through its Shovel Ready Projects fund to the new building, while the remaining $200 000 was provided by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
The old station was a two-bay building that only had basic heating installed three years ago. As well as housing a fire truck and a first responder ute, it had a toilet, some bench seats and table for computer equipment.
“With our IT [gear] we had to battle with cluster flies and mice at times to get it going,” Durling said. “The new building is really a leap into the 21st Century.”
It is nearly four times bigger than the old building, increasing from 80 square metres to 318 square metres.
Sources: Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Cook Brothers Construction, Stuff
