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The proceeds from the annual Christmas tree sales, organised by the Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade, have delivered the fire service with a present of its own – a four-wheel drive response vehicle.
The new Ford Ranger replaces a 10-year-old Ford Transit and will be used to support firefighters at most callouts, from vehicle accidents to vegetation fires and weather events, and will make it easier for crews to reach hard to access areas.
As well as the Christmas tree sales, the vehicle was bought using donations from local businesses and organisations such as Lions, Rotary, the Anglican Parish, NX2 project open days, Barfoot and Thompson and many individuals.
Senior station officer Devan Flewellyn said local businesses had also helped set up the vehicle, including Tyre Power Warkworth and Totally Wrapped Signs.
“The 2023 4×4 Ford Ranger has been fitted with off road tyres, winch, raised air intake, upgraded heavy duty suspension and a Utemaster Trailcore body and roof rack,” Flewellyn says. “The completed package comes in at over $100,000.”
The Warkworth brigade has a full complement of 30 members at present and responds to around 300 calls a year.
The new vehicle was officially blessed by kaumatua Ringi Brown at a ceremony on October 3.
