Otorohanga Volunteer Fire Brigade

06/06/2026

Training Never Stops

Last month our brigade took part in first aid training to refresh and update our skills. Just like many other professions and organisations, ongoing training is essential to ensure we can provide the best possible care when responding to incidents in our community. Whether it’s assisting at a medical event, supporting ambulance crews, or helping someone in need before further help arrives, these skills are a vital part of what we do.

Being a volunteer firefighter involves much more than responding to emergencies. Our members dedicate many hours to training throughout the year so we can remain ready, capable, and confident when the siren goes off. Investing in training means investing in the safety and wellbeing of our community.

Have you ever thought about becoming a volunteer? We’re always looking for people who want to make a difference. If you’d like to learn more about volunteering with our brigade, send us a message or get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

04/06/2026

We're still riding high... and not just because we climbed 51 floors!

Did you spot the our members in this week's King Country News?

A special shout out to Tony Russell, who completed his 10th Sky Tower Challenge this year. What an achievement!

We're incredibly proud of our brigade, not just for the climb, but for the commitment, teamwork, fundraising, and community support that got us there.

If you haven't seen the article yet, check it out and learn a bit more about the challenge and the team behind it here: https://kingcountrynews.co.nz/2026/06/tony-keeps-stepping-up/

Thanks again to everyone who donated, supported, followed the livestream, and cheered us on. We couldn't have done it without you.

25/05/2026

Front and centre for our team🔥

Thank you!!! ❤

Saturday marked our 22nd annual Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge — and what a day it was.

A massive thank you to every firefighter who turned up at and climbed all 1103 stairs in the Tower, raising nearly $2.5 Million to support Kiwis facing blood cancer! The hard work, determination and generosity of this community never fails to amaze us. ❤

To our sponsors and supporters — none of this happens without you. Your belief in the firefighters, the brigades, and this event means the challenge can continue on year after year.

There is still time to donate to your local brigade via https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/

24/05/2026

Expectation: “Yeah the Sky Tower Challenge will be hard… but we train for this.” 💪

Reality: walking like newborn giraffes for the next 3 to 5 business days 🥴😂

Huge effort from the whole skytower challenge crew this weekend. The stairs won, but so did an incredible cause ❤️

Sashtree Sash Montgomery Amber-rose Tauranga Jess Brueck Tony Milne Tony Russell Torrin Campbell

23/05/2026

SKY TOWER CHALLENGE COMPLETE! 🚒🔥

What a day for the Ōtorohanga Volunteer Fire Brigade team at the 2026 Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge!

After months of training, sore legs, laughs, and plenty of stair sessions, our crew officially conquered the 1,103 steps of the Sky Tower in full firefighting gear.

As a brigade, we are absolutely stoked to have raised $5,875 for Blood Cancer NZ. A huge thank you to everyone who donated, shared our posts, sent messages of support, and backed the team throughout this journey. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Here are our official climb times:

🔥 SFF Jess Brueck – 20:56.87
🔥 SFF Tony Russell – 23:07.82
🔥 SO Tony Milne – 23:38.87
🔥 FF Amber Tauranga – 23:49.63
🔥 QFF Sashtree Montgomery – 34:05.85
🔥 FF Torrin Campbell – 34:25.05

We are incredibly proud to represent our brigade and community for such an important cause.

22/05/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY! 🚒🔥

Months of training, sore legs, stair sessions, and plenty of banter have all led to today.

Our Ōtorohanga Volunteer Fire Brigade Sky Tower Challenge team musters at 12:10pm and will begin heading up the tower shortly after.

You can watch the live stream here and cheer the team on from home: https://www.youtube.com/live/mGdysSQYNFI?si=f09JYEhU20IBCVuC

Good luck to all firefighters taking part today! 💪

2026 Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge | SkyCity Auckland, New Zealand | 23 May 2026Saturday, 23 May 2026📍 SkyCity Auckland, New ZealandThis is the official l...

21/05/2026

SKY TOWER CHALLENGE – MEET THE TEAM!

Last but not least QFF Sashtree Montgomery, who is taking on the 1,103 steps of the Sky Tower this weekend in remembrance of her Nana Rangi.

For Sas, this challenge is deeply personal as her nana battled myeloma before sadly passing away on her birthday. Today, Sas's daughter carries her Nana’s name, making every step of this climb one filled with meaning and purpose.

“I climb for my Nana, for those fighting now, and for the families carrying the load beside them. I’m absolutely going to need the karakia while my legs try to carry the load of my body up those stairs!”

Support Sas and the team here: https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-otorohanga-volunteer-fire-brigade

20/05/2026

SKY TOWER CHALLENGE – MEET THE TEAM!

Introducing SO Tony Milne, who is taking on the 1,103 steps of the Sky Tower this weekend.

Tony didn’t actually want a profile post… but after nearly 2 years of Sas harassing him around the station, she wasn’t going to let him get away with that.

Tony is a big part of the brigade and is well known for the time he puts into training, mentoring, and recruiting. Always willing to help out and share his knowledge, he plays a massive role in supporting the crew.

Unfortunately, while trying to find photos of Tony, we discovered most of them also included Sas somehow… so enjoy the team photos featuring Tony (and his shadow).

Support Tony and the team here:
https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-otorohanga-volunteer-fire-brigade

20/05/2026

SKY TOWER CHALLENGE – MEET THE TEAM!

Introducing FF Coban Tamati, who is taking on the 1,103 steps of the Sky Tower this weekend.

Coban is as a dedicated worker, loving family man, and someone who is always pushing himself physically. A regular at the gym, he is bringing that same determination and commitment to this year’s Sky Tower Challenge.

Support Coban and the team here:
https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-otorohanga-volunteer-fire-brigade

20/05/2026

SKY TOWER CHALLENGE – MEET THE TEAM!

Giving him his own light to shine, just like his smile, reintroducing FF Sai Rahim, who is taking on the 1,103 steps of the Sky Tower this weekend.

Sai is always willing to step up where needed and brings a positive attitude to everything he does. Known for his happy and calm nature, he is taking on the challenge to help raise awareness and support for those affected by blood cancer.

Support Sai and the team here: https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-otorohanga-volunteer-fire-brigade