Oban Volunteer Fire Brigade

20/07/2026

Tonight we did some portable pump training, we use these pumps to supply water to our appliances while fighting fires. We set them up in nearby household water tanks or in this case, a nearby creek.

19/07/2026

Water tanks are one of our biggest resources on the Island since we don't have a reticulated water supply (fire hydrants). Making sure we can access your water tank if we need to during a fire is one of the best fire safety actions you can take!

There are many factors that will determine if we can access your water tanks if there is a fire at your place:
💧 Flow and volume of water
🏠 Location of water tank
🚒 Access for fire trucks to water tanks
👩‍🚒 Connections from the fire truck to the water tank

Thinking of building, or want to know more, give us call.

14/07/2026

Here is our winter update from the Stewart Island News, about fire safety through the colder months! ❄️🚒

June saw the celebration of Volunteer Week, and of course, our brigade is manned completely by volunteers. We manage a terrific response whenever we've been needed, but there are ways you can help us as well.

First and foremost, there are simple steps we can all take to reduce the chances of starting a fire at all. It's nice to have a cosy fire to sit next to in winter, but just keep in mind that ashes can stay hot for a long time and can start a fire as well, so best practice is to soak them with water in a metal bucket before disposing of them further.

Make sure to keep drying clothes and other flammables at least a metre from your heat sources. If you're using a dryer to dry your clothes, it's essential to make sure the lint collector is free from lint before use.

If you've got an electric blanket, make sure it isn't over 5 years old, and stop using it if you notice any unusual hot spots. Most importantly - make sure you've got smoke alarms, and that they are in working order.

Of course, we hope it never comes to it, but if there is a structure fire, you should already have an escape plan in place. You should have 2 ways to get out, and an agreed-upon meeting place outside. Make sure you're familiar with the fire plans at your place of work, where the firefighting equipment is located, and that you're familiar with how and when to use it.

Lastly, you can help us as we are responding. By law, you must pull over when it is safe to do so, to allow emergency vehicles responding to an emergency to get past. If you see us driving with our beacons on, please make way so we can get to where we need to go. We will cause as little disruption as we can, but health and safety is of the highest priority for us, so we will close roads if we must, so we can operate safely. Please respect any boundaries and cordons we have set up, and keep clear of the area.

Have a safe and happy winter everyone!

01/07/2026

🕷️ Spider spraying? We’ve got one tiny request…

Before you go to war with the eight-legged locals — don’t forget to take down (or cover) your smoke alarms first 😅

There’s nothing like a “spider emergency” turning into a full-blown smoke alarm situation 🔊🚒

A quick minute of prep can save a whole lot of noise (and avoid an unexpected visit from us).

✅ Pop alarms back up once you’re done
✅ Make sure they’re working properly
Easy as that 👍

17/06/2026

We’ve had two chimney fires in the last week — and trust us, that is not the kind of winter warmth anyone wants.

Home maintenance might be boring… but you’ve gotta do it. So before you light that next fire, make sure your chimney is clean, your flue is clear, and your fireplace is safe.

A few minutes of maintenance beats a visit from us any day. 🔥😉

17/06/2026

😴💤 Did you know you lose your sense of smell when you sleep?

That means if there’s a fire while you’re snoozing… you won’t smell a thing. 😳 Scary, right?

That’s why working smoke alarms are so important, they’re your nose and ears while you sleep. 👃🚨

Here are a few quick tips to stay safe:
✅ Test your alarms monthly
✅ Replace batteries every 6–12 months
✅ Install alarms in bedrooms, hallways & living areas
✅ Never disable them (even when cooking!)
✅ If you have an annoying alarm that beeps, replace it with a long-life photoelectric smoke alarm

These simple steps could save your life, or your family's. 🛏️❤️

16/06/2026

❤️ Ngā mihi nui – thank you, volunteers! ❤️

Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu – National Volunteer Week, and here in Southland we’re incredibly proud of the people who step up for our communities every single day.

Southland has 36 volunteer brigades – and right here in Southland, we’re home to the southernmost brigade in the country in Oban (Rakiura/Stewart Island). How’s that for dedication at the edge of the map! 🌏🔥

Volunteers show up 24/7, 365 days a year – responding to emergencies, training, and supporting their communities when it matters most. More than 11,800 people nationwide give their time as firefighters, medical first responders, operational support, and behind-the-scenes brigade support.

But it’s not just them, it’s also their whānau, friends and employers who make it possible. Every callout, training night, and community event means time away from home and mahi, and that support crew is just as important.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life, but they share one thing in common:
👉 a commitment to serving their communities, no matter the hour.

To all our Southland volunteers — from the mainland to Oban — thank you for everything you do. You make our communities safer, stronger, and more connected.

👏 If you know a volunteer, give them a shoutout below!

16/06/2026

In a small community like ours, we're lucky to have so many volunteers who are ready and willing to go above and beyond whenever they're needed ❤️

15/06/2026

01/06/2026

OBAN751 out enjoying the moonlight at tonight's training 🚒🌌🌕