My Account
Kawau Coastguard performed a joint exercise with the Kawau Island Voluntary Rural Fire Force for the first time last month.
As part of the exercise, the Kawau Coastguard rescue crew transferred seven firefighters and their gear from North Cove to Sandy Bay, in the Bon Accord Harbour, for a simulated fire.
In another exercise, firefighters had to locate an injured person in the bush and treat their wound before lifting them out on a stretcher to be transported on the rescue boat for treatment on the mainland.
Crew member Paul Steinkamp said the two crews had met on jobs before, but it was the first time they had come together to discuss protocols and take stock of joint capabilities.
They discussed processes for evacuation in case of serious bush fire, how to move firefighting equipment and how to coordinate communication in an emergency.
Meanwhile, the Kawau Coastguard rescue vessel has gone into dry dock for a much-needed refit at Robertson Boats in Warkworth.
Steinkamp says the refit has been able to happen thanks to community fundraising, as well donations from Pub Charity and the Rodney Health Charitable Trust.
Meanwhile, Coastguard NZ has lent a similar boat to allow the Kawau crew to continue their job during the refit.
To volunteer, contact Paul Steinkamp at paulandpat@xtra.co.nz for Coastguard or Gavin at gavinbrunton@gmail.com for the Kawau Volunteer Brigade.
