New era for Paparoa station

Construction of a new fire station on SH12 in Paparoa is expected to be finished in July.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has made a $1.5 million investment in the project..

The new facility features high-standard seismic technology, a helipad and electric gates to allow trucks to enter and exit the station more efficiently.

Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Ken O’Gilvy highlighted the excellent location of the new building, noting that on many occasions members of the community were unaware that there was a volunteer fire station in the district.

“A modern fire station replaces the previous facility in Depot Road and becomes an emergency hub for the whole community.” he said.

“It will also allow us to make better use of the facilities, hold meetings and do much more than just operate as a fire station.

“The new building is the envy of many brigades. With these new facilities, the trucks drive around behind the station and, with the automatic gates, firefighters can drive straight out onto the road, making the job much simpler.”

In addition to the new building, the brigade has also acquired two new fire trucks, with a combined water capacity of up to 9000 litres and space to transport up to nine personnel.

“It’s a new stage for us as a brigade. We’ve been operating since 1975 and doing a great job, but our current station is basically just a dividing wall with leaks around it. There’s not enough space for many people, and we don’t have a proper kitchen, so the conditions are not the best. But I’m excited – this is going to be great for us.”