Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade

20/01/2026

🚨🌧️ Wet Weather Safety Reminder from Your Local Volunteer Fire Brigade 🚒🌧️

With the wet weather settling in, we’re asking everyone to take a few simple steps to stay safe on the roads and around home:

🚗 On the Road
• Slow down — wet roads mean longer stopping distances.
• Increase your following distance.
• Turn your lights on so you’re easier to see.
• Watch for surface flooding and avoid driving through deep or fast‑moving water.
• Drive to the conditions, not the speed limit.

🏠 Around Home
• Keep an eye out for blocked drains or gutters that could cause flooding.
• Secure outdoor items — wind and rain can move things quickly.
• If you see downed powerlines, keep well clear and call your power provider immediately.

🌧️ General Safety
• If you don’t need to travel, it’s safer to stay put.
• Check on neighbours, elderly whānau, and vulnerable people.
• Stay updated through official channels for weather warnings and road closures.

If you come across an emergency, call 111 immediately.

Stay safe, look after one another, and give yourself extra time out there.

Ngā mihi nui,
Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade

“Kia haumaru i a koutou i ngā āwhā.”
Stay safe out there during the storms.

08/01/2026

As summer feels like it has returned in force, this does pose an increased fire risk.

Please take extra care this weekend - 97% of wildfires in Aotearoa are caused by people. We can’t control the fire risk, but we can control our actions

☀️If your weekend plans include any activities involving an outdoor fire or spark/heat generating activities such as using power tools and mowing the lawn, we’re asking you to consider postponing these activities.

☀️Physically check any burn piles from the last few weeks are fully extinguished. If in doubt put more water on it to make sure it’s fully extinguished ahead of these extreme conditions.

☀️In these conditions, all it takes is one spark or ember to start a wildfire that will get out of control quickly and be very difficult for our crews to control.

07/01/2026

🔥🎄✨ Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade – 2025 Year in Review ✨🎄🔥

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on the year and thank our amazing community for your support. This year, our brigade responded to 365 incidents – that’s one for every day of the year!

Every call represents a moment where our volunteers stepped up to help keep Wellsford and surrounding communities safe. We couldn’t do it without the dedication of our crew’s, the support of their families, and the understanding of their employers.

As we head into the holiday season and summer break, please travel safely, take care on the roads, and look out for each other. Your safety is our priority, and together we can make 2026 a safe and happy year for everyone.

From all of us at Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade – thank you for being part of our journey in 2025. Stay safe, enjoy the festivities, and we’ll see you in 2026!

🎅🚒 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

05/11/2025

With Guy Fawkes night approaching, if you have purchased fireworks we encourage you to think twice before setting them off.

Before lighting fireworks check it is safe to do so by visiting www.checkitsalright.nz. If it is windy do not light fireworks.

If it is safe to light, here are a few simple precautions you can take to keep your whānau, animals and community safe:

• Be a good neighbour, let people around you know you are setting off fireworks especially if they have pets or livestock.

• Are you the land owner? Or do you need their permission.

• Light them in a wide-open space, away from anything that could catch fire.

• Ensure your fireworks are pointed at the sky and won’t end up in anything that can catch fire including buildings or vegetation.

• Have a large bucket of water or hose at hand.

• Dispose of your fireworks safely – soak them in water before you throw them out.

31/10/2025

Afternoon Wellsford.

If you are coming along to the station tonight, please park along the main road - Parking around both the fire station and StJohns will be not accessible for cars during the event.

Thanks and see you all this evening 🚒🚨😀

25/10/2025

🎃👻 Looking for a scare this Halloween? 👻🎃

Bring the kids down to Wellsford Fire Station for some spooky fun!

🕸️ Haunted House in the shed behind the station 🕸️
🕔 Starts at 5:30pm
💰 Gold coin donation

Come dressed in your creepiest costume and get ready for a frightfully good time! 🚒🧛‍♂️🕷️

🎉 Everyone welcome!

21/10/2025

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging people to delay any outdoor fires they have planned from this week through until the end of Labour Day Monday October 27. MetService issued strong wind warnings for much of the country on Tuesday, with further warnings expected on Thursday and strong winds likely to continue through to Monday. These conditions will keep fire danger elevated across many parts of New Zealand through the Labour Day long weekend.

These winds combined with warm temperatures and low humidity will increase fire danger, particularly along the east coast of both islands, which Fire and Emergency Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says presents heightened fire risk right through to the end of the long weekend. The public can stay up to date with current fire risk conditions by visiting

www.checkitsalright.nz

06/10/2025

This Mental Health Awareness Week we want to pause and take some time to recognise and reflect on the commitment and dedication of our people working across our communities.

Everyday our people show up to complex and sometimes emotionally demanding environments. Whether it’s at an incident, out in the community, on the other end of the phone or online - this work can weigh heavily both professionally and personally.

The work our people undertake everyday can be challenging and we acknowledge it is not without cost. Supporting mental health isn’t just for this week but something we are committed to everyday. We encourage all our people including their whānau to reach out and use the resources we have available.

To everyone in our organisation who continue to show up with empathy and strength we thank you for your service to our communities.

Whanaungatanga, we are better together.

02/10/2025

22/09/2025

Daylight Savings is coming up!

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward this weekend and while you’re at it, take a minute to check your smoke alarms.

✅ Test the alarm
✅ Check the batteries
✅ Make sure it’s dust-free
✅ Ensure there’s one in every bedroom, hallway, and living area

A quick check could save a life. Stay safe, everyone!🚒

06/09/2025

Happy Father's Day to all the incredible dads across Fire and Emergency NZ! 👨‍🚒❤️

Today we celebrate the fathers who not only protect their families at home, but also serve and protect our communities with courage and dedication. Whether you're on shift, on call, or enjoying a well-earned day off, Thank you for everything you do.

From the Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade, we salute our hero dads! 🚒