Browns Volunteer Fire Brigade

08/04/2026

29/01/2026

Monday night training this week - Door Entry and BA Search & Rescue, with a few obstacles for the crew!

27/11/2025

8.40am update:
Huge thanks to all the firefighters who tackled the fires around Southland yesterday, and to the employers of our volunteers who let them drop everything and answer the siren.

Two crews of firefighters are working on the Te Tipua fireground today, extinguishing hotspots, and specialists are assessing trees that have been identified as compromised by the fire. We expect to finish operations late this afternoon.

As at 8.30am SH96 remained closed between the intersection with SH1 and Waimumu Road, with a detour in place. Check https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/southland/ for updates.

❗Update 7.45pm❗
The fire at Te Tipua is now contained and helicopters have ceased operations.
Six trucks and one support vehicle remain on site alongside a digger.
State Highway 96 between State Highway 1 and Waimumu remains closed and will remain closed overnight.
Power is expected to be reinstated in the next two hours.
A small crew will be monitoring the fire overnight and more firefighters will return in the morning for mop up.

❗Update 4.15pm ❗
Make that five fires since 1pm today. Conditions are very windy, which are making it more challenging for our firefighters to get them under control. Don't light any outdoor fires this afternoon. Check any previous fires or burns from the last few weeks to make sure they are not going to reignite. Don’t leave fires to smoulder or assume that a fire is completely out just because you can’t see any flames or smoke. The whole area should be thoroughly wetted until it is completely cold, and checked again afterwards.
🔥 Fire reported in trees at Otahuti. Three crews are responding.
🔥 Nine crews of firefighters and a helicopter still working on the fire in forestry near Te Tipua (Glencoe Highway) - the road is still closed.
🔥 Dacre-Morton Mains hedge fire, two crews still at the scene
🔥Makarewa fire - one crew still at the scene
❗3.15pm Our firefighters are responding to four vegetation fires that have started around Southland since 1pm today.❗
🔥 Glencoe Highway between SH1 and Te Tipua - multiple crews responding, supported by helicopters. NZTA reports SH96 is closed between SH1 and Waimumu Rd
🔥 Dacre-Morton Mains - two crews responding
🔥Makarewa - four crews responded
🔥 Greenhills - one crew responded
Please do not light any outdoor fires today and double check that any fires you have lit recently are completely extinguished. Wet the area down thoroughly.
Southland District Council Invercargill City Council Invercargill Fire Gore Volunteer Fire Brigade Mataura Volunteer Fire Brigade Wallacetown Volunteer Fire Brigade Thornbury Volunteer Fire Brigade Wyndham Volunteer Fire Brigade Edendale Volunteer Fire Brigade

22/11/2025

Good list for everyone to look at and tick the boxes before lighting

Our crews have been busy, so please make sure you tick all the boxes before lighting your burn pile

☑️Make sure your burn pile is well away from trees, hedges, sheds and other structures
☑️Check the weather before you light, spring conditions can be unpredictable and change quickly
☑️Keep an eye on your burn because it's your fire and your responsibility

06/09/2025

Advocate Communications

13/08/2025

Are you ready for it?

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway and living area. 🧡

02/06/2025

On Saturday, we held our annual Honours Night to celebrate the incredible time, dedication, and effort our volunteers contribute as members of our fire brigade.

A special congratulations goes to Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tony Anderson, who was awarded his 25-Year Gold Star and recognised as our 14th Life Member. Tony’s commitment to our community over the years has been outstanding — well done, Tony!

We also acknowledged the service milestones of several other valued members:

FF Gareth Irwin – 9 years

SFF Blair Lindsay – 19 years

SO Shane Young – 21 years

OS -SFF Donald McGregor – 27 years

Thank you all for your dedication and service to our brigade and our community.

07/05/2025

Bit of extra recruit training tonight.

06/04/2025

Thanks NZ Farming for getting behind this.
Come on everyone we need to get behind this good cause to get behind our volunteers.

The petition calls for volunteer firefighters to get the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid colleagues.

17/03/2025

Hey team
Please sign this Petition and get it shared around.
Time to change this Legislation and support All Volunteer Fire Fighters across New Zealand.

A parliament petition has been put together by one of our members, from the Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade, to change the ACC legislation to give volunteer firefighters the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid colleagues.

We are proudly supporting our members’ initiative, as it has strong alignment with the UFBA’s Strategic Priority on our Fairness and Equity Campaign to get volunteer firefighters more coverage under ACC.

Here is the link to the petition: https://petitions.parliament.nz/5872f736-ed2f-443c-f919-08dd5b668762 (closes 30 April 2025)

Please show your support by signing the petition and share this through your networks, on your brigades' social media and with your friends, families, and colleagues.

The UFBA will continue to advocate at a national political level, but as one of the 12,000 volunteer firefighters, it is you who can drive this change from the ground up. The aim is that our combined efforts mean we will meet in the middle on the doorstep of the decision-makers.

More information on the petition and background details on the ACC issue can be found on our website - https://www.ufba.org.nz/news/members-petition-change-acc-legislation