Middlemarch Volunteer Fire Brigade

19/08/2026

Please be aware that local landholders will be conducting controlled burns across the area over the next couple of days, so you can expect to see smoke nearby.
These are private burns. If you see an unmonitored fire that looks out of control or poses an immediate threat, please dial 111 immediately for emergency assistance.
Controlled burns are common at this time of year. If you are planning your own burn, please head to Check it’s alright www.checkitsalright.nz. to see if it's safe, or call the Southern Fire Communications non-emergency number, you can also reach out to our local brigade members for assistance.

12/08/2026

New recruit alert!!!
Middlemarch Volunteer Fire Brigade is thrilled to welcome our newest recruit, Shane Foster! Joining a volunteer fire brigade takes dedication, heart, and a genuine commitment to stepping up when neighbors need it most. Shane is officially beginning his training journey, taking on the challenge of learning the skills, safety protocols, and operational teamwork required to respond at a moment’s notice. We’re excited to support him through every stage of his training and development, and we're truly grateful to have him sacrifice his time to help protect and serve our awesome community. Welcome aboard, Shane!

Ever considered joining the brigade? Pop in Wednesday nights at 7pm to see what it’s all about!

09/07/2026

Matariki Mahuika Ahi is a new tradition of lighting bonfires on beaches and waterfronts to bring communities together and celebrate Matariki. ✨

If this is your first time lighting a fire to mark the appearance of Matariki whether at the beach or in your backyard with a brazier, check out these tips:

🔥 Go to checkitsalright.nz to see if you are able to light a fire in your area. You may need a permit.
🔥 Check the fire danger on the day at checkitsalright.nz
🔥 Chose a spot that is 20 metres from buildings, fences and hedges. 500 metres from forest or scrub land and at least 15 metres from other fires.
🔥 Use dry, untreated wood and no tyres, plastics or rubbish
🔥 If using a brazier make sure it is on stable, level non-flammable surface
🔥 The fire should be no taller than 2 metres and no wider than 3 metres
🔥 Keep something to help put out the fire close by. Such as a bucket of water, shovel, hose or fire extinguisher
🔥 Never leave your fire unattended
🔥 Extinguish your fire with lots of water

For more advice on bonfires https://www.checkitsalright.nz/reduce-your-risk/bonfires

For more advice on braziers https://www.checkitsalright.nz/reduce.../fire-pits-braziers

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

17/06/2026

It’s National Volunteer Week!

When the siren goes off in Middlemarch, our team drops everything. We leave warm beds, half-eaten dinners, and our day jobs to respond to whatever emergency comes our way—because keeping our Strath Taieri community safe is what we do.

But we don't do it alone. This National Volunteer Week, we want to say a massive THANK YOU to:
👉 Our Families & Whānau: Who hold down the fort at home when we rush out the door.
👉 Our Local Employers: Who generously let us step away from work at a moment's notice to look after others.
👉 Our Community: For your ongoing support, kind words, and for looking out for one another.

Volunteers make up 80% of Fire and Emergency NZ, and we’re proud to represent Middlemarch 24/7, 365 days a year.
Thinking about joining the crew? Our doors are always open. Drop by on a training night to see what we're all about!

23/05/2026

We are proud to acknowledge the efforts of our team that took on the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge today, while record-breaking results eluded us we did manage to raise $5,786 for Blood Cancer NZ which is a great achievement for a team of 3 from a small community, so we extend our sincerest thanks to all who donated, and if you didn’t get a chance there is still time just follow the link
https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-middlemarch-volunteer-fire-brigade
Blood Cancer NZ

22/05/2026

The countdown is almost over for our team's Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge tomorrow. Donations to Blood Cancer NZ are still welcome to support the team in achieving their objectives. https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-middlemarch-volunteer-fire-brigade Blood Cancer NZ

20/05/2026

Not long now!!!
Our team are in the final stages of prepping for this Saturdays Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge.
Massive thanks to those who have donated to the team so far!
If you wish to support our team in raising Funds for Blood Cancer NZ please follow the Link 🔗

https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-middlemarch-volunteer-fire-brigade

A donation can either be made to the team, or an individual, this can be done by tapping on their profile.

Please support my Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge

10/05/2026

Our team is officially in the final countdown for the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge to support Blood Cancer New Zealand.
This is no small feat. We’ll be tackling 1,103 steps (51 flights of stairs), climbing 328 meters straight up while carrying 25kg of gear. This year, Audry and I (Kiera) are taking on the climb "donned and started" (breathing through the BA), while Lisa will be climbing "donned."

Why we’re climbing:
Every day, 8 Kiwis are diagnosed with a blood cancer or related condition. It’s a journey that is incredibly tough for patients and their whānau. Blood Cancer NZ is the only national organisation dedicated to supporting these families, funding life-saving research, and advocating for those in need. Every dollar raised goes directly toward their mission to care and their vision to cure.
It can affect anyone, at any time—but your support makes a massive difference.

How to help:
If you’d like to support our climb and this incredible cause, you can donate to our team via the link below:

https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-middlemarch-volunteer-fire-brigade

Check out some of our favorite moments from last year’s challenge below! 📸

29/04/2026

Middlemarch Volunteer Fire Brigade are proud to welcome three new Firefighters!

Ruby, Erika and Scotty entered the Woolston Training Center as recruits and completed seven days of intensive training, finishing on Friday, April 24th. The course covered the aspects of day-to-day firefighting, our team did incredible pushing themselves and gaining valuable knowledge to help them serve our community.

A massive congratulations to Ruby, Erika and Scotty on this incredible achievement and for earning their yellow helmets!