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While north Rodney residents are in their ‘bubbles’ during quarantine, emergency service volunteers and staff are still on the frontlines responding to calls.
Fire crews from Puhoi to Rodney have responded to at least 36 callouts since the quarantine started.
The Mahurangi East station has responded to the majority of the medical calls in the wider Mahurangi area, primarily in Snells Beach.
Chief fire officer Jason Connolly says the volunteer brigade has been provided with all new training for the quarantine.
“Before we enter, we have to ask residents questions about whether they have been in contact with the virus, and we rely on them for honest information,” he says.
So far, no one at the station has had to respond to a call with a confirmed case of corona virus, but there was an incident involving someone who had been in contact with a patient with covid-19.
Typically, the fire service will respond to medical callouts if a local resident is suffering from cardiac arrest, or from breathing difficulties, which is a symptom of covid-19.
“It’s bloody terrifying. Our first instinct is to help people, but we have to be careful we are not spreading the virus.
“But, all the crew are trained in what to do, and we have to keep responding.”
Stations have been provided with safety gear including plastic overalls, paper suits, goggles, masks and rubber gloves.
Appliances are thoroughly wiped down and sanitised with disinfectant after each incident.
Jason says the station is acutely aware of maintaining strict health protocols especially given that areas such as Snells Beach have a high proportion of aged residents,.
The Warkworth station has responded to six miscellaneous fire calls in Warkworth town since quarantine began.
Station manager Devan Flewellyn says a number of these have been because residents have been burning their rubbish, despite restrictions.
The area is still in a restricted fire season which means a permit is required to have a fire, including for incinerating rubbish.
Jason says permits have not been given for fires during the quarantine precisely because if they get out of control it means volunteers have to leave their quarantine to respond.
“It is not usual to have to respond to fires in town, but we have been because of rubbish fires.”
Meanwhile, Police say there have been no arrests made in Rodney during the quarantine and on the whole, residents have been respectful of distancing.
Warkworth Police Sergeant Mark Stallworthy says police have been turning around vehicle that have driven from Auckland to visit northern beaches.
“It is easy to tell who is driving to the supermarket and who is just driving around. We will stop a car that is full of people,” Sgt Stallworthy says.
“We are being quite strict because we don’t want people to have to be in quarantine for longer than they have to.”
A 30-foot police boat also visited Kawau Island last week to speak to people who are living on their boats to ensure they were clear about quarantine rules.
Sgt Stallworthy says police have also been busy with calls from concerned residents who believe others are stretching the rules.
“For example, at Snells Beach there are 6000 eyes watching the beach so we get a lot of calls if a kayaker is out on the water.”
At present, North Rodney police are not issuing infringement tickets for breaking the rules of quarantine, but those found in breach are being recorded and police say there will be repercussions for recidivists.
Police have also been provided with safety equipment including masks, gloves and goggle while vehicles and stations are regularly sanitised.
