My Account
Snr Firefighter Jason Carn-Bennett, who has completed 14 years as a volunteer firefighter at Silverdale, receives his Long Service Good Conduct Medal from Rodney MP Mark Mitchell. Jason recently commenced training as a career firefighter. Retired Chief Fire Officer Frank Mackereth is congratulated by Deputy Chief Shayne Kennedy on his 2-year Gold Bar, representing 58 years’ service. Frank stepped down as Chief Fire Officer at the end of September and will be officially farewelled next February. Silverdale Station Officer Ted Fuller receives his 2-year gold Bar for 37 years’ service as a firefighter. Nigel Lilley and Dave Nyman.
Honours night on Labour weekend was celebrated by firefighters from Manly and Silverdale, although according to Waitemata Fire area manager adviser and Silverdale Station officer Ted Fuller it may be the last time that the two stations celebrate this event as a single unit.
A recent review of the NZ Fire Services Act resulted in the merger of urban and rural services. Mr Fuller says that during that process, feedback from Chief Fire Officers was that they wanted a level of autonomy so that each brigade could develop independently.
The process of turning Silverdale and Manly into fully independent units is currently underway and will influence how many events and activities, such as training, they undertake together in future.
Previously they operated under the same Chief Fire Officer, with Manly as an auxillary brigade to Silverdale.
Mr Fuller, who has been a volunteer at Silverdale for 15 years, says that the change will mean Manly should have its own Chief and Deputy Chief fire officers appointed in around 18 months.
He says it is likely that the two brigades will still train and mix professionally and socially together on many occasions but that will be up to them to decide.
Honours given
The brigades’ Honours night took place at Whangaparaoa Golf Club on October 21 and included around 20 presentations of medals to brigade members.
Station officer Adrian Rice, who has earned a Gold Star for 25 years’ service, was given star treatment, with a guard of honour. He arrived at the wheel of the same fire truck that he drove at the very start of his career. In presenting the medal to Adrian, Nigel Lilley of the United Fire Brigades Associaiton said that only 4 percent of firefighters achieve 25 years’ service.
Adrian is the 25th firefighter in the Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade’s 65-year history to receive the Gold Star.
