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It was a proud moment for firefighters Richard Wilcock and Kevin Jones when their daughters both decided to join them at the Mahurangi East Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Best friends Jane Wilcock, and Paige Jones, both 16, are currently doing basic training at the station before undertaking more advanced courses early next year.
Both Richard and Kevin are founding members of the brigade.
Richard is unsurprised Jane followed him into firefighting since she has grown up with the brigade ever since the station was built in 1999.
He says they have managed to avoid any father-daughter niggles so far, possibly because he is not responsible for Jane’s training.
The pair have attended medical call outs together though, and he says his daughter has performed well, even earning compliments from attending ambulance officers.
“It’s really good seeing the next generation come through because we are struggling for volunteers,” Richard says.
Jane says she joined the brigade as a way to help out and give back to the community.
She’s loving the job so far but it can be tough, especially when there is little that can be done for the victim of a traumatic incident.
Her worst case was a woman who suffered a massive brain bleed at
an accident scene.
The woman was picked up by the rescue helicopter, but died shortly afterwards.
Jane says it helps that there are plenty of people at the station to talk to after witnessing distressing events.
Meanwhile, Kevin Jones is delighted his daughter Paige has also joined the brigade and says she is doing well despite a steep learning curve.
Paige says she enjoys working as part of a team and handling the ladders and hoses. She says it’s a bonus working with her Dad as she can always ask his advice even when she is not at the station.
The Mahurangi East Volunteer Fire Brigade is eager to recruit new volunteers.
Info: Jason Connolly 0272 737 679.
