Edendale Volunteer Fire Brigade

31/05/2026

With Moooving Day just around the corner, there is just one more thing to think about.

𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 - You must make sure they are working. It is your job to test alarms and report if they are not working to the person who owns the property.

𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 - If you are providing accommodation, you must make sure there are:
🔥 Working smoke alarms within 3 metres of each bedroom door, or in every room where a person sleeps
🔥 Smoke alarms in each level or storey of a multi-storey or multi-level home
🔥 and in any rental caravans, and self-contained sleep-outs.

Have a happy and safe mooooving day! 🐄🐄

29/05/2026

A big thanks to Nathan D, Pat and Andrea for showing the Seaward Downs Playgroup around the fire station yesterday morning.

Look at these wee future firefighters in the making!!!
It was a great morning squirting water, sitting in the truck and thanks to Nathan a drive around the block.

Couldn't wipe the smiles off everyones dials.

Serving our people big and small.

"I am not here for Me,
I am here for We,
And We are here for Them"

17/05/2026

Revalidation for our Working at Heights. Which also involves competency with knots.

Figure 8
Figure 8 on the right
Threaded Figure 8
Alpine butterfly
Round turn 2 half hitch
Clove hitch
Preformed clove hitch
Reef knot
Bowline

Learning, re-learning, practicing, re-practicing, doing, re-doing. Until its second nature. So we have complete faith in our ability and that of our crew.

Thank you to Jesse and Mark for your time, and patience coming out to teach and test us in these core skills.

10/05/2026

Mother’s Day doesn’t stop the pager going off.

Which means across the country today, there’ll be mums leaving half-finished coffees, cold toast, family lunches and kids’ cuddles to answer a call for help from someone else.

Volunteer firefighting asks a lot from families. Especially the ones at home holding everything together while we head out the door.

So today’s not just about the mums on the truck.
It’s also about the mums, wives, partners and grandmothers behind the scenes who quietly make this job possible in the first place.

Thanks for the support, the patience, and the understanding when the siren interrupts another family moment.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Edendale Volunteer Fire Brigade.

18/04/2026

Congratulations to Nathan.

Pump Operator and Drivers Course done!

No matter how many turn up there is not going to be much in the way of water if we can't get to the fire and operate the pump.

There is alot of training, qualifications on the go at the Edendale Volunteer Fire Brigade at the moment.

It is really cool to see all these amazing men and women step up and learn the skills needed to support members of community in their time of need.

Thank you Nathan!! Thank you for the hours taken out of your days to study, learn the practical skills and complete the practical course.

Your fellow volunteers and Community appreciate you!

26/03/2026

Thank you so much to Brad, Rhylee and Alex for their training yesterday evening.

There was something for everyone...
First response respiration, choking, splints, how to handover and talk to clinical desk.
Gas monitors and extinguishers.
And for the Recruits safe door entry and fire attack.

All against a very beautiful firey sky.

We are always practicing, upskilling, learning from eachother and relearning as we pass it on to the up and coming volunteers.

We live in a beautiful place, in a wonderful community, and we are here for you 🚨

13/03/2026

Colour run fun in the sun 🌞 😎

Thank you Edendale Primary School - Southland for the invite.

We love an excuse to run hoses, and spray water.
We help the community in may ways!

It was a such a great afternoon. Not sure who enjoyed it more, the children, the Teachers, the Parents or the Fire Fighters 😆

12/03/2026

07/03/2026

Happy International Womens Day!!

To all women.

But a special mention and shout out to our amazing team of Women in FENZ Volunteers.

Edendale Volunteer Fire Brigade/First Response have a strong and proud female presence.

On todays International Womens Day we are altogether at our First Responder Refresher.

An Impressive line-up... and has to be said we are missing Jill, Lillian and Alex, with Isla an extra from Milford Sound.

04/03/2026

🚨 This pretty much sums up our reality… Next time you hear the siren, here’s a little insight into what happens behind the scenes…

🔊 The siren goes! We’re all in various stages of everyday life when it happens...

☕ Mid-cuppa?
Down it goes! It was too hot anyway right.
🏢 At work?
“Can someone cover me?” Blessed to have employers who support this ❤️
🏠 At home with the kids?
Quick - call the neighbour? Drop them to Nana? Aunty? Uncle?
🚿 Just out of the shower?
Towel ... clothes... hair...chaos!
👗👖What am I wearing?
Jeans or fleecy PJs under Level 2s not ideal 🥵
🌃 Middle of the night?
Dark clothing fumbles, backwards inside out tops and no bra! Keys are where? Dont wake the household... BANG who shut that door thats never shut!!! Ouch!!!

🚗 Jump in the car - Who else is responding? Do we have a crew? Do we have a driver? Did I turn the stove off 🤔? DO I NEED TO P*E 😳?!?!

🏣 Arrive at station
👩🏻‍🚒 Gear on
🚒 Truck/Van started and we’re off 🚨

Now these kinds of questions start running through our heads…

What’s the job? 🔥 Fire? 🚗 Crash? 🚨 Alarm activation? 🩺 Medical call?
Asigning roles, jobs, discussing possibilities and considerations.

🤷🏼‍♂️ How big?
⏳️ How long will we be out?

🕑 Sometimes we’re done in 30 minutes 🕣️ Sometimes we’re there for 7 hours

Some jobs stay with you longer than others 😔

🚒 Then it’s back to station...
Clean gear, restock the truck/van, reset everything so we’re ready to do it all again next time

Finally… home time 🏠
Cold dinner/breakfast/cuppa 🍽
Kids to collected 👦👧
Very necessary shower 🚿
Very welcoming bed or...on with whatever was paused 🛏

Yes sometimes it’s up for work with tired eyes 👀 and aching muscles.
But always with a full heart, and sense of pride for helping the community we live in. ❤️

That’s volunteer life 😊

That’s what happens when the siren 🔊 sounds in Edendale.

We are your neighbours dashing past, we are your workmates dashing off and we are here for you ❤️

(Credit Lumsden Volunteer Fire Brigade for this idea/base wording)