Proud Fire fighters serving their communities
Proud Fire fighters serving their communities
Roy Williams
Manurewa
Roy Williams has over 24 years experience in the New Zealand Fire Service and he’s as keen about being a firefighter as the time he first donned the famous uniform back in 1984. At the time it was a career change for him, and he hasn’t looked back since.
“I get a lot of pride in being a Maori in the Fire Service,” says the 49 year-old Station Officer, based in Manurewa, south Auckland. “And there’s certainly mana. I get this from my whanau and friends.”
Williams believes doing fire safety work in the community is particularly important and the positive feedback he receives makes doing this work extremely rewarding.
A classic example of this was some time ago when the Fire Service realised there was not a version of the FireWise programme, used in mainstream schools, that they could use in kohanga and kura kaupapa. So a group of Maori firefighters got together and formed Te Roopu Te Tinei Ahi Ki Tamaki Makaurau to advocate for Maori fire safety educational material.
“Getting this produced was very pleasing and has resulted in a greater awareness of the dangers of fire with Maori families, Roy adds.
Roy draws his Maori heritage to Ngati Tupoho and Te Atihaunui-a-paparangi.
Lani Hohepa
Henderson
Lani Hohepa has always been a go-getter and being a mother of two didn’t stop her from taking on the challenge of becoming a firefighter.
Based at the Henderson Fire Station in west Auckland her career not only allows her to work close to home and among familiar faces and surroundings, it also gives her the flexibility to raise her two children.
“I see my children more than if I worked another job,” she explains.
She’s proud of not only serving her community, but also being a face Maori people can relate to. Her Maori heritage is drawn from her Nga Puhi and Te Mahuri ancestry.
Hohepa also wants more women to consider a career in the Fire Service. “I think women deal with things a little differently so have more to offer,” she says.
Hohepa, 34, joined the Fire Service over five years ago and loves her job because it’s challenging where every day is not the same.
“I enjoy the physical side of being a Fire Fighter and the camaraderie between all of us as well,” she adds. “I like the variety and the challenge, a bit of adventure.”
Fighting fires out in west Auckland has its differences being partially rural. She’s attended to plenty of vegetation fires and similar scenarios.
Hohepa also rides the rescue tender which responds to motor vehicle accidents and other instances were people need extrication or rescue.
George Toelau
Mt Roskill
Twenty year-old Samoan George Toelau joined the Fire Service just this year, after completing a grueling eleven week training course in Rotorua. He admits he joined the Fire Service as a way of serving the community, and because of “the variety of work involved” - a far cry from the monotonous routine of retail merchandising which was his former line of work.
“As a Samoan firefighter, I enjoy the respect of my family, community and church. The kids look up to me as a positive role model and that gives me a real sense of satisfaction,” says Toelau.
“I would encourage everyone in the Samoan community, and other Island people, to consider becoming a firefighter.”
Toelau believes many Pacific Island people don’t understand the dangers of fire.
“I know this first hand. When I was nine years old, my family’s home caught fire and we lost everything, all the memories and prized possessions. The cost is terrible.”
But Toelau says these scenarios are avoidable.
“That’s why I believe it’s important for our Pacific Island communities to learn about the dangers of fire.”
Toelau says in just a few months he has already experienced a lot of “mentally demanding” situations which is part and parcel of the job. But serving his community and the rewards that come with that service is something he is proud off.
Toelau is based at the Mt Roskill department and hails from Safotu, Savaii through his mother, and Lotofaga, Apia in Samoa.
