Johnsonville Volunteer Fire Brigade

20/04/2026

🚨 REGIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED

A State of Emergency has been declared for Wellington City and the surround region following severe weather. This allows emergency services to respond quickly and keep people safe.

What you need to do now:
⚠️ Move away from low-lying or flood-prone areas for the next 24 hours
❌ Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary
✔️ Follow instructions from emergency services
🏠 Stay home if it is safe and avoid floodwaters or damaged areas
🌊 Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater
⬆️ Evacuate immediately to higher ground if water rises
⏱️ Don’t wait for an official alert if you feel unsafe
💡 Secure loose items and prepare for possible power outages
🤝 Check on neighbours, whānau and anyone who may need extra support

If you need help:
📞 Call 04 499 4444, for welfare support.
🚨 In an emergency, call 111

An Emergency Assistance Centre has been established in the Wellington City Mission in Oxford Terrace to support people who have been evacuated from their homes.

To report weather-related issues:
Call 04 499 4444, email [email protected], use the FixIt App, or fill out our webform: https://services.wellington.govt.nz/report/

We will continue to provide updates here and through official channels. Please share this information to help others stay safe.

14/04/2026

04/04/2026

Will you check your smoke alarms this daylight saving, question?

1. Check your smoke alarms are working by pressing the button. The end of a broom handle is a great help! 🧹

2. While you’re there give them a little dust, a minute of maintenance could save lives!

3. Check in on elderly whānau or neighbours. Fifty percent of avoidable deaths in house fires are people over the age of 60. This is something we can change.

It's not rocket science, do it today 🚀

24/03/2026

We understand people in our communities are concerned about the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel, and it may be tempting to store extra fuel on your property. Fire and Emergency does not recommend this.

Fuel is a highly flammable substance, and storing large quantities of it comes with serious fire danger.

A fire involving fuel spreads rapidly and releases a lot of heat. Even a small spill can cause a devastating fire that will spread incredibly quickly.

Find further information on the storage of your existing fuel: www.epa.govt.nz/everyday-environment/petrol/

10/03/2026

Congratulations to OIC Warren Field on achieving an incredible milestone - 50 years of service with the Johnsonville Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Warren’s dedication to our community has been truly remarkable. His willingness to share his wealth of knowledge and experience has made a lasting impact on brigade members, from recruits through to seasoned firefighters.

We’re proud to celebrate this extraordinary achievement and look forward to formally recognising Warren’s 50 years of service at our honours evening later this year.

Thank you for your outstanding commitment, Warren!

15/02/2026

Our firefighters are continuing to respond to hundreds of calls for assistance from people affected by the storm moving across the country.

Between 6pm last night and 8am today, we received 852 emergency 111 calls in the North Island. Most of them (804) related to storm damage, including fallen trees and powerlines, lifting roofs and property damage.

📞 When life or safety is at threatened, people should call 111 immediately.
📲 Check your local Civil Defence page for updates and advice in your area.
🚗 Staying off the roads, avoiding floodwater and watching for flying debris.
⚡If people are without power and relying on alternative means of cooking, heating and lighting, they should be mindful of fire safety:
• Switch off all appliances including stoves and heaters that were in use when the power went off.
• Torches are preferable to candles. If candles are your only alternative, put them upright in a secure holder, like a jar, well away from curtains or anything flammable
• Do not use outdoor heaters or cooking equipment indoors

Our people had a very busy night, and our firefighters are continuing to respond to calls. We appreciate the work they are doing to support their communities, and we urge people to follow the advice from Civil Defence to prepare and keep themselves safe, wherever they may be.

29/01/2026

Over the last few months our firefighters in the Wellington District have seen an increase in kitchen fires🔥🔥🔥

Don’t leave the stove when cooking ... if you must leave, ALWAYS turn off the stove first🙂

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires in New Zealand – 1 in 4 house fires start in the kitchen😢

08/01/2026

01/11/2025