Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Fire stations opened in Mid-South Canterbury

Fire stations opened in Mid-South Canterbury

Fire and Emergency National Commander Russell Wood officially opened two new fire stations in Mid-South Canterbury on Saturday.

Rangitātā Gorge Volunteer Fire Brigade was established in the 1980s.

The brigade previously never had a facility - they had to store the appliance where there was space, taking turns hosting training at each other’s homes and storing equipment in a 20ft container.

The new Fire Station is a $1.25 million new build. It is a 146m2 station comprising an appliance vehicle bay, operations room/training room, decontamination and ablution facilities. It also has a water storage tank, PPE storage, exhaust fume management and off-road parking.

It is built on what was Crown land leased by Rata Peaks Station. Rata Peaks Station (Taylor family) have been kind enough to allow the release of the land for the new fire station.

Peel Forest Volunteer Fire Brigade was the first rural fire unit in the South Island when it was established in 1954.

The new station is a $1.26 million new build to replace their old, concrete block facility. It is 200m2 and comprises of an appliance vehicle bay, support vehicle bay, operations room/training room/ kitchenette, decontamination and ablution facilities, PPE storage, exhaust fume management, water storage tanks and off-road car parking.

The brigades were originally set up to protect the property and environment both within the Peel Forest village and in the upper reaches of the Rangitātā Gorge. Both stations will serve as bases for search and rescue in what is a high-use area for the general public with a range of recreation activities such as rafting, hiking, hunting and jet boating.

"Both of these brigades hold an important role for the small, rural communities they serve, and these new stations will ensure these two brigades will be able to continue to serve the needs of these communities," Russell Wood said.

"They also form part of the wider region surge capacity for a larger-scale incidents.

"For Rangitātā Gorge in particular, I’m pleased the brigade will be able to park the appliance in a purpose-built facility that fits all their equipment and that they have space to come together to train, connect and serve their community."

See below videos of what each new station means to the respective brigades.

Rangitātā Gorge

Peel Forest