Otago - Fire and Emergency

Otago - Fire and Emergency Providing guidance and information on how to prevent fires from occurring and spreading and helping people be prepared if they do occur.

30/07/2026

Tomorrow, between 12pm and 1pm, members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union will be stopping work for one hour.

We will continue to answer 111 fire calls. Volunteer stations in the affected cities and towns will respond, as they regularly do when there are multiple emergencies.

If you are at home, do not leave cooking unattended. Make sure you have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and living area.

If there is a fire, get out, stay out, and call 111.

If you are at work, know your building evacuation plan. If there is a fire or the fire alarm sounds, exit the building, assemble at your safe meeting place and call 111.

If you are on a job site that uses spark or heat generating tools, we ask you to refrain from using these tools during this hour.

It is important to acknowledge that this strike action will not affect the parts of the country served by our volunteers.

If you are unsure whether your area is affected, please visit https://shorturl.at/thoU5

Early yesterday morning we came together to celebrate Matariki with a hautapu ceremony, where we remembered our colleagu...
23/07/2026

Early yesterday morning we came together to celebrate Matariki with a hautapu ceremony, where we remembered our colleagues, family and friends who passed away in the last year, and looked forward to the new year. In accordance with Māori custom, the steam from the offering of food rose up to feed the stars of Matariki.

Update 11.10am:We are continuing to support civil defence in the areas affected by flooding, and most particularly in Oa...
05/07/2026

Update 11.10am:
We are continuing to support civil defence in the areas affected by flooding, and most particularly in Oamaru this morning.

Please stay up to date with MetService New Zealand forecasts and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Otago & Southland for your area and anywhere you are travelling. Your local council will have updates on local road closures.

Oamaru Volunteer Fire Brigade Waitaki Volunteer Fire Brigade Waitati Fire Brigade Waikouaiti Volunteer Fire Brigade Mosgiel Volunteer Fire Brigade Outram Volunteer Fire Brigade

Sunday:
With coastal Otago under heavy rain warnings and inland Otago expecting heavy snow, Fire and Emergency is ready to support our communities tonight, as always.

If life or safety is at risk, always call 111 straight away.

Follow the advice from your local council and civil defence, and avoid non-urgent travel.

Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management Clutha District Council Dunedin City Council Waitaki District Council Queenstown Lakes District Council Central Otago District Council

Snow - whether you love it or hate it, here are some tips to stay safe if the power goes out at your place.Torches are s...
05/07/2026

Snow - whether you love it or hate it, here are some tips to stay safe if the power goes out at your place.

Torches are safer than candles. If you don’t have access to torches, or they run out of battery, take care to use candles safely:
• Always place them on a heat-resistant surface and firmly in a holder.
• Keep them away from anything that could catch fire like curtains, furniture or clothing.
• Keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
• Put them out before you leave a room and before you go to bed.

Prepare for your power coming back on by making sure all light switches, power outlets and cooking appliances are switched off.

Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Station Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade Lake Hawea Volunteer Fire Brigade Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade Middlemarch Volunteer Fire Brigade Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade

If you’re looking for more than “just a job” and you’re keen to know your work is making a real difference to people in ...
19/06/2026

If you’re looking for more than “just a job” and you’re keen to know your work is making a real difference to people in your community every day, the time is right to consider a career as a firefighter.

Applications for positions in our Dunedin and Invercargill brigades close on 5 July, with physical testing in Dunedin in mid July.

If you’re physically fit, calm under pressure and a genuine team player, then check out the details here: www.fireandemergency.nz/work-or-volunteer-for-us/become-a-career-firefighter/.

Photos below show (left) a firefighter in breathing apparatus at a house fire, and some of the physical tests that applicants undertake as part of the recruitment process to become a career firefighter.

15/06/2026

It's National Volunteer Week and we're taking the opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to the 906 people who choose to serve their communities as a member of a Volunteer Fire Brigade in Otago.

Our volunteers give their time in many ways: firefighters, medical first responders and in operational support and brigade support roles. And as Acting District Commander Laurence Voight says, our volunteers turn out to all manner of incidents including fires, severe weather, rescues, vehicle crashes and medical events.

We also give a huge shout-out to the families, employers and co-workers of our volunteers, who all support and enable them to answer the call of the siren and pager.

If you've every thought about becoming a volunteer with Fire and Emergency, here's a good place to start. https://www.fireandemergency.nz/work-or-volunteer-for-us/volunteering/

Coming at ya, Dunedin! Our MAN Angloco Type 3 fire truck is now in service – the first to become operational in Otago.Fi...
27/05/2026

Coming at ya, Dunedin!
Our MAN Angloco Type 3 fire truck is now in service – the first to become operational in Otago.
Firefighters trained on the new truck several weeks ago to learn its advanced technology, which includes an electronic pressure control management for pumping water, and more sophisticated instrumentation that allows pumping to be controlled from three places.
The truck is part of the Dunedin City Station fleet.

05/05/2026

It's New Zealand Sign Language Week and in Otago we're so proud to have one of our Queenstown-based team members sharing this life-saving reminder about home fire safety.
No matter what language you speak, Nick's message is for you! Here's where to install working smoke alarms:
👍 Bedrooms
👍 Hallways
👍 Living areas

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Otago Central, Naseby and Lakes zones into a restricted fire season as of 8...
15/04/2026

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Otago Central, Naseby and Lakes zones into a restricted fire season as of 8am on Wednesday 15 April, until further notice.

During a restricted fire season, anyone wanting to light an outdoor fire must first obtain a fire permit from Fire and Emergency.

The following special risk zones will remain in a prohibited fire season:
- Queenstown
- Lake Wānaka islands
- Lake Wakatipu islands
- Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve.

The section 52 prohibition of fireworks in Upper Waitaki, Central and Lakes fire zones will also be revoked at 8am on Wednesday 15 April, until further notice.

Fireworks will remain prohibited in the following special risk zones:
- Queenstown
- Lake Wānaka islands
- Lake Wakatipu islands
- Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve
- Glendhu Bluffs
- Naseby
- Lake Ōhau.

Otago District Commander, Deane Chalmers, says recent cooler weather has reduced the fire risk.

"South-westerly weather and shorter days mean the vegetation around the district is no longer as dry.

"Fires are less likely to start and will not spread as quickly in these conditions.

"But fires can start in Otago at any time of the year, which is why people must apply for a fire permit at www.checkitsalright.nz," Deane Chalmers says.

"This website will also tell you whether the conditions are safe and provide safety tips for your burn."

Address

85 Castle Street
Dunedin
9016

Telephone

+64800673473

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Otago - Fire and Emergency posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Otago - Fire and Emergency:

Shortcuts

Share

Category