Māpua Volunteer Fire Brigade’s new chief, whose surname is seared in the brigade’s membership history, plans to spark more local fire safety in his new role.
Former senior station manager, Aaron Thawley, takes over as chief fire officer from Ian Reade, who recently retired after 17 years in the role and 31 years at the Māpua brigade.
Aaron says he was initially reluctant to accept the new challenge, but he was now eager to drive the brigade forward.
“I like to think I can bring some added enthusiasm and youth and I want to bring some renewed drive to the management of the brigade and see where we can take it,” he says.
“My plan is that we will re-engage with our community and get out and really deliver a focus to fire safety information support to key members of our community.
“Get back to smoke alarm installation and checks for some of the elderly, and target some of our rural community members with fire safety support around what plant species they want to be growing closer to their house that will slow down burning if there is a vegetation or forest fire.”
Aaron, who’s been a member at the Māpua brigade since 2003, credited his new role to Ian Reade, and to Ted Perry, who founded the station in 1972.
“I would like to acknowledge Ian’s service and the commitment he’s made to the brigade. He’s gone through some pretty tough times and taken it in his stride, and the Perry family, without them we wouldn’t have the fire brigade,” he says.
“They’ve been great role models, and I probably wouldn’t be the chief if it wasn’t for them.”
Aaron, who’s also a transport and logistics manager at his family’s orchard in Mahana, says his well-involved firefighting family also fuelled his service.
“I grew up with the fire brigade, my father [Jim Thawley] did 16 years with Māpua… so I probably saw it as a natural progression to get into it,” he says.
“My uncle, Keith Thawley, did 25 years at Stoke, and another uncle, Ross Thawley, has done 18 years or so at Reefton and Rai Valley.”
Aaron says his great aunty, Eileen Harvey-Thawley, who’s served at Māpua since the mid-90s, was also an inspiration.
“I enjoy the comradery and getting amongst the community… it’s almost like having a second family, especially our brigade, we’re a tight-knit bunch even though we all come from different backgrounds,” he says.
He says the brigade was also calling out for more daytime responders, including people who are comfortable using a breathing apparatus.
Contact aaron.thawley@fireandemergency.nz or 027 427 5813 if interested or for more information to volunteer at Māpua Volunteer Fire Brigade.
