Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade

11/04/2026

Update from Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade 🚒
As Cyclone Vaianu approaches, brigades across Auckland and the wider North Island have been completing final readiness checks. Additional crews and resources have been pre‑positioned across the Auckland region to support local brigades and strengthen rescue and water‑rescue capability if conditions worsen.
Our teams remain ready to respond and are closely monitoring the situation as it develops. Please stay informed through official channels and take care during this time.
⚠️ If life or safety is at risk, call 111 immediately. ⚠️
Check on neighbours where it’s safe to do so and avoid unnecessary travel.

09/04/2026

Cyclone Vaianu Update #2

9 April 2026, 10.45am

Mōrena, we have received an update from MetService who have now included a Heavy Rain Watch into the forecast for this coming weekend.

Situation

Cyclone Vaianu is expected to move southwards across the North Island on Sunday, 12 April. 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.

Heavy Rain Watch

Area: Auckland and Great Barrier Island
Period: 12hrs from 2:00am Sun to 2:00pm Sun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Strong Wind Watch

Area: Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island
Period: 21hrs from 9:00pm Sat to 6:00pm Sun
Forecast: Easterly quarter winds turning westerly. Winds are likely to reach severe gale in exposed places and may be damaging, especially during Sunday morning and afternoon.
High chance of upgrading to a Warning.

How you can prepare now

•Keep up-to-date with the weather by downloading the MetService app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit www.metservice.com
•Start preparing your property – check your drains and gutters to ensure they aren’t blocked and clear tree branches, leaves and debris. These can cause flooding issues during heavy rain. Put away or tie down any loose outdoor furniture and trampolines in case of high winds.
•Get ready in case of power outages. Check you’ve got a torch and batteries, keep your phone and power banks charged, and have a battery-operated radio (or your car radio as an alternative).
•Plan travel accordingly. Make sure you drive to the conditions and never drive through floodwaters or over slips.
•The forecast is for predicting large swells and high energy waves. The conditions are not looking ideal for boating or shore fishing.

Feel free to share this message with whānau and friends to help them get prepared too – we’ve got this Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland!

09/04/2026

Kia ora Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland – here’s the first update from MetService New Zealand about Cyclone Vaianu heading our way.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

At this stage, uncertainty remains in the cyclone’s exact track, and its potential impacts. We can however possibly expect damaging, potentially life-threatening winds, heavy rain, and hazardous coastal conditions.

This could cause damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

CURRENT FORECAST:

Strong Wind Watch - Yellow
Area: The North Island
Period: 22hrs from 1:00am Sunday 12 April to 11:00pm Sunday 12 April

Forecast: Cyclone Vaianu is likely to move across the North Island on Sunday, 12 April. potentially bringing damaging, life-threatening winds.

As confidence in the path it will take increases, parts of this Watch will be upgraded to Orange or possibly Red Warnings. Vaianu will also bring heavy rain, with Heavy Rain Watches and/or Warnings likely to be issued on Thursday for some areas. High chance of upgrading to a Warning.

THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW:

➡️ Keep up-to-date with the weather by downloading the MetService app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit www.metservice.com

➡️ Start preparing your property - check your drains and gutters to ensure they aren’t blocked. These can cause flooding issues during heavy rain. Clear any tree branches, leaves and debris that can cause blockages. Put away or tie down any loose outdoor furniture and trampolines in case of high winds.

➡️ Get ready in case of power outages. Check you’ve got a torch and batteries, keep your phone and power banks charged and have a battery-operated radio (or your car radio as an alternative).

We’ll keep you updated as things progress over the next few days and also provide details on how Auckland Council is getting ready too.

04/04/2026

Dear Coasties

While changing the clocks back an hour, Don’t forget to pay your smoke alarms a bit of attention!

Check/replace the batteries, give them a dust and of course test them to make sure they work and are not just a silent decoration!

Check on your elderly neighbours to make sure they also have working smoke alarms, let’s make sure we keep looking after our people!

Working alarms save lives.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand offer free Home Fire Safety Visits to people, family and whānau who require fire safety advice.

18/03/2026

With the increase in fuel prices, we understand some people may be storing extra petrol or diesel at home.

Here’s how to reduce the fire danger that is associated with storing fuel:
🔥 Use only approved fuel containers
Petrol vapour is extremely flammable. Approved containers are designed to prevent leaks and reduce vapour build‑up.
🔥 Store small amounts only
More fuel = more danger in a fire.
🔥 Keep fuel well away from ignition sources
Pilot lights, Power tools, Vehicles and machinery, heaters, electrical switches
🔥 Store fuel outside your home
Never keep fuel in the house.
🔥 If a garage is your only option for storing fuel, ensure you have a working smoke or heat alarm in there.

08/03/2026

Today on International Women’s Day join us in celebrating all the hard mahi our amazing wāhine do within our community and across our organisation.

From childhood dreams for some of our members, to serving our community today, we are immensely proud of each and every one of them for their hard mahi and dedication to their service.

Their leadership, their expertise, and their experience shape who we are today and who we will become tomorrow.

We appreciate you! 🫶🏼

25/01/2026

❤️ Standing Together with Mount Maunganui ❤️

Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade sends our deepest love and unwavering support to everyone affected by the tragic landslide.

To our brothers and sisters at Fire and Emergency NZ, USAR, St John Ambulance, and the New Zealand Police: we know the weight of the work you are doing. We see your tireless efforts on the scene, and we stand with you in spirit.

​We also want to acknowledge the brave members of the public who were first on the scene. Your courage in the face of such a disaster is a testament to the Kiwi spirit.

To the Families
​Our love goes out to the families of the holidaymakers whose lives were lost. There are no words sufficient for such a loss, but please know that the entire emergency services whānau is mourning with you.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

​To our fellow responders and those in the community affected by these events: please speak up. You don’t have to carry this alone.

There are people ready to listen and support lines available 24/7.

​Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to talk to a trained counsellor.

​Crisis Helpline: 0800 543 354 (Lifeline)

​Kia Kaha, Mount Maunganui. We are with you. 🏔️💪

20/01/2026

🚨 A Friendly Reminder from Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade 🚨

If you see or are affected by an emergency — please call 111 first. Social media posts do not alert emergency services.

With bad weather forecast, this is especially important for things like:
🌳 Trees down
⚡ Power lines down
💧 Flooding in or threatening property
🚗 Crashes or hazards blocking roads

Calling 111 ensures the right help is dispatched immediately and keeps everyone safer. Once help is on the way, feel free to let your neighbours know — but 111 first, Facebook second.

Thanks for helping us help our community 💪🚒

– Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade

12/01/2026

🔥 Are you planning an outdoor fire? 🔥

We’ve seen an increase in calls about smoke in the area, and we want to keep our crews and community safe and informed.

While we are currently in an open fire season, if you’re planning an outdoor fire there are a few simple steps that make a big difference:
• Let us know before you start – Call 0800 336 922 to notify us of your planned burn.
• Take proper safety precautions – Make sure your fire is in the right spot, well managed, monitored, and that you have the tools and water needed to put it out if conditions change. For further advice and quick tips, visit https://www.checkitsalright.nz/reduce-your-risk/burn-piles.
• Burn only when conditions are suitable – Always check the current conditions and whether a permit is required by visiting https://www.checkitsalright.nz/can-i-light-a-fire

Your cooperation helps reduce unnecessary callouts and keeps everyone safer. Thanks for doing your part to protect our community! 🔥🌱

05/01/2026

Advisory Notice ⚠️

Due to a Serious Truck Crash on East Coast Road, drivers may experience delays.

Current diversion headed toward Silverdale on East Coast Road is being diverted onto Bawden Road and onto Dairy Flat Highway via Postman Road/Wilks Road.

Traffic toward Albany is currently flowing as normal.

Please take care on the roads 🙏 🚗

31/12/2025

Reflecting on 2025: A Year of Service and Strength 🔥🔥🚒

​As the closure of 2025 approaches, the Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade is taking a moment to look back on an incredible 12 months.

It’s been a year of growth, challenges, and unwavering commitment to our Hibiscus Coast community.

​To our dedicated members: Thank you. Your sacrifice and hard work are the backbone of this station.

​This year, we’ve seen our team evolve in so many ways:

🔥We said a fond farewell to members who resigned to start new chapters.

🔥We welcomed fresh faces into our brigade family.

🔥 We celebrated the hard graft of those who climbed the ranks.

🔥 We cheered on our newest qualified drivers and pump operators.

​Life didn’t stop at the station doors, either. We’ve shared in the joy of weddings and new arrivals as our members started families, and we’ve stood together in grief as we lost some of our most amazing and long-time supporters.

Through the highs and the lows, this team has kept strong.

​Whether it was 3:00 PM or 3:00 AM, you turned out for the community we love. You left your beds, your dinners, and your families to answer the call, and for that, we are incredibly proud.

​To our Hibiscus Coast community: Thank you for standing behind us every step of the way. Your support is what keeps us going.

​So, thank you, 2025. You’ve been a big one!

​Bring on 2026.

We want to wish all our amazing supporters across the Coast a very Happy New Year and all the best for the year ahead. Stay safe out there! 🎆✨