Pauanui Volunteer Fire Brigade

21/06/2026

🎉👏Congratulations to our Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Fred Crawford, on being recognised for his significant contribution to Land Search and Rescue.

Fred has been a dedicated servant of our local community for many years and has generously given his time and expertise across numerous emergency services including the Pauanui Volunteer Fire Brigade, First Response, Coastguard, and LandSAR.

Background Story,

Prior to 1997, there was no formal Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) group in the Tairua–Pauanui area. When searches were required, Police relied on the assistance of local trampers, farmers, firefighters, and Coastguard volunteers. In 1997, a formal search and rescue organisation was established under the Coastguard umbrella as Coastguard and Land Search and Rescue. As the demands on both services increased, Tairua–Pauanui Land Search and Rescue was formed as an independent group in 2009.

Fred’s involvement in search and rescue dates back to the 1980s when, as a firefighter, he was regularly called upon by Police to assist with search operations. He initially served as a Field Team member before transitioning into search management around 1985, where he has remained actively involved ever since. In 2010, he completed his Managing Land Search Operations (MLSO) qualification.

Over more than four decades of service, Fred has been involved in numerous search operations throughout the Coromandel, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty regions, including the high-profile Operation Stockholm search for the missing Swedish couple.

In addition to his operational contributions, Fred has played a significant role in the administration and development of LandSAR since 1997. When Tairua–Pauanui Land Search and Rescue was established in 2009 he became the group’s inaugural President, a position he held until 2022. During this time the group expanded its coverage to include Whangamatā and is now known as Tairua–Pauanui–Whangamatā (TPW) Land Search and Rescue, with an active membership of approximately 30 volunteers.

Although Fred has not held national LandSAR positions, he has actively contributed to the wider organisation through attendance at numerous LandSAR conferences and annual general meetings. He has also served as a trustee of the local WanderSearch Trust.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution, Fred was awarded Life Membership of TPW Land Search and Rescue in 2022.

Throughout more than 40 years of dedicated service, Fred has consistently made himself available for both operational and administrative responsibilities. His leadership, commitment, and vision have been instrumental in building and maintaining the strong, capable, and sustainable organisation that exists today. Even now, he remains actively involved in both the operational and administrative aspects of search and rescue, continuing to support and strengthen the service for future generations.

18/06/2026

🚒 International Volunteer Week 2026 🚒

Our volunteer firefighters give up their time with family and friends, leave their workplace and respond at all hours of the day and night to help others when they need it most. Whether it’s fighting fires, attending medical emergencies, assisting at vehicle crashes or supporting our community through adverse events, their willingness to serve makes Pauanui a safer place for everyone.

Volunteering is not always easy and the sacrifices made often go unseen. This week we celebrate the people behind the pager and recognise the countless hours spent training, responding and serving our community with professionalism and pride.

To all our volunteers, thank you for your selfless service, your dedication and the difference you make every day.

09/06/2026

27/04/2026

🚒🔥Call Out Update – Pauanui Volunteer Fire Brigade🔥🚒

Our dedicated crew has been hard at work serving the community, responding to a wide range of incidents.

As of today, we have attended 71 calls in 2026 so far. Each call represents a moment where our volunteers stepped up day or night to help those in need.

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers for their commitment, and to our community for your ongoing support!!

Stay safe and look out for one another.

Picture below is from this mornings medical call

25/04/2026

Honoured to stand together at dawn this ANZAC Day 🌅

The Pauanui Volunteer Fire Brigade members attend the ANZAC Day dawn parade this morning at the surf club, joining our community in remembering and paying tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who came before us.

As the sun rose, so did a shared sense of respect and gratitude. It’s moments like these that remind us why we serve for our community, for each other, and in the spirit of those who gave so much.

Lest we forget. 🇳🇿🇦🇺

23/04/2026

Tuesday training night 🚒🧑‍🚒

This week’s focus was on the use of a ground monitor to safely cool a pressurised vessel, a critical skill for managing a high risk fire scenario. Crews practiced setting up the monitor for effective water delivery, maintaining safe distances, and coordinating as a team to control heat and reduce the risk of escalation.

It was also a great opportunity for our upcoming officers to step up and practice their skills in a hands on environment.

Great to see strong teamwork, clear communication, and everyone sharpening their skills. Training like this ensures we’re ready to respond when it matters most.

20/04/2026

As the seasons change, so do the habits of our feathered friends 🐦

Birds are known to build nests in warm, sheltered spots and farm machinery like tractors, balers, and harvesters can be the perfect place. While it might seem harmless, nesting materials such as dry grass and twigs can quickly become a serious fire hazard once equipment is started up.

Before you fire up your machinery:
🔍 Take a few minutes to check under the hood and around the engine bay
🧹 Remove any nests or loose debris carefully
🚜 Keep equipment clean and well-maintained

A simple check can help prevent a fire, protect your property, and keep everyone safe this season.

If you do have a fire, call 111 immediately and ask for Fire.

Stay safe

11/04/2026

⚠️Notice to Travellers⚠️

Hikuai Settlement Road is flooded and the council has closed the road. Please postpone your journeys to and from Pauanui until the floodwaters have receded. We have been and cleared the tree by the water treatment plant.

10/04/2026

Cyclone Vaianu - Sandbags available.

The TCDC have supplied sandbags and sand for the community to use in preparation for this weather event. The bags are located at the back door of the Pauanui Fire Station, and sand by the tennis courts in Sheppard Ave.

https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/Our-Council/News-Media-and-Public-Notices/Latest-News/Cyclone-Vaianu-weather-related-updates

09/04/2026

‼️🌀 𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐮 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲

Heads up Thames-Coromandel, Cyclone Vaianu is expected to move southwards across the North Island this Sunday. The Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island have been 𝐮𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.

The current track of the cyclone can be found at on the Metservice website.

❗The combination of damaging winds, heavy rain and coastal inundation makes this a multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event. The locations of the most severe impacts associated with Cyclone Vaianu, such as power outages, falling trees, flooding, slips, road closures and isolated communities are highly dependent on the cyclone's track.

Please keep up to date with the latest forecasts, adjust plans as needed and be prepared to act, following all advice of local authorities.

🔴 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝐑𝐞𝐝
Area: Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island
Period: 13 hours from 5:00am Sun 12 Apr to 6:00pm Sun 12 Apr
Forecast: Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerly Sunday afternoon, with damaging gusts of 140km/h. Note winds easing from the north during Sunday afternoon.
Impact: Threat to life from flying items and falling trees. Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply.
Action: Stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter away from trees. Avoid travel. Be ready for power and communication outages.

🟠𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞
Area: Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane including Rotorua
Period: 14 hours from 2:00am Sun 12 Apr to 4:00pm Sun 12 Apr
Forecast: Expect 150 to 180 mm to accumulate, especially about the ranges. Peak intensities of 20 to 30 mm/hr Sunday morning and early afternoon. Note, in addition to the wind and rain, large swells and coastal inundation are likely.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.