After 10 months of fundraising, the Fairlie Volunteer Fire Brigade has hit the road in a new vehicle.
Chief Fire Officer Wayne Dixon said the crew had a target of $75,000, but — thanks to the support of the community — it ended up making a little over $85,000.
The original plan had been for the utility vehicle to improve response capabilities.
A ute allowed more ‘‘manpower’’ to be transported to larger fires, CFO Dixon said.
There had been a few times when firefighters had taken their own vehicles to fires, which was problematic in terms of insurance.
In the past the brigade had borrowed a four-wheel-drive vehicle when an adverse weather event had taken out a bridge — now it had its own.
It could also help with callouts to skifields, and for when they needed to service fire alarms to asses if they were malfunctioning or simply needed cleaning .
The ute would also be used for education around the region.
He was sure the longer the brigade had it there would be ‘‘more and more’’ use for it.
The brigade had fundraised for the truck in a variety of ways, from chopping and selling firewood to entering two of its firefighters into the Miss Mackenzie Competition. Johnny Adams — stage name Miss Hosemary Pumpalot — took out the title.
It was ‘‘a big effort’’ for the pair to stand up in front of everyone, CFO Dixon said.
He was also thankful for the support from the community, including $13,000 from Farmlands Fairlie and its clients. A local sold a cattle beast at the stockyards and put all the proceeds towards the truck.
The brigade also received grants from the Community Trust of Mid & South Canterbury and Aoraki Trust.
