Wattie Mortimer’s service with Fire and Emergency New Zealand is hotting up,
He’s the newly-appointed chief fire officer at Wakefield Volunteer Fire Brigade, and is no stranger to the pivotal role having served three years as chief in his eight years at Lake Rotoiti.
Wattie says it was an honour to be the 25-member brigade’s reign of fire, and his priority was igniting more volunteers who can kindle operational support roles, and be available to rush to the scene on weekdays between 9am and 5pm.
“We’re having a bit of a campaign and getting out and about and talking to people, and we hope to have an open day within the next 12 months,” he says.
“We’re much busier than it was at Lake Rotoiti, we do approximately 220 calls a year and we’re very busy in terms of being a medical first response brigade.
“We’re also gearing up for summer in terms of getting the message out there of risk reduction… and making sure that everyone’s got a 3-Step-Escape plan, which includes having working smoke alarms, identifying the best alternative ways out and having a safe meeting place.”
Wattie says the goals around risk reduction, community engagement, and recruitment are a collaborative effort with Wakefield’s deputy chief fire officer Dot Aston.
Wattie says a burning desire to support the community in their time of need sparked his FENZ career at the Lake Rotoiti brigade after he and his whānau moved to St Arnaud from Christchurch in 2016.
There, he spearheaded a community project to improve resilience from wildfire threats with many homes at the lake taking measures to “fire smart” their properties, collaborating with the Department of Conservation to introduce low-flammability native plants.
The plants slow the fire spread and lower its intensity, allowing fire crews to successfully suppress fires and give residents extra time to evacuate.
FENZ had also created a new full-time role with the organisation for Wattie as a property coordinator in the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions, after his previous post as a self-employed builder.
The role manages compliance maintenance and upgrades of the region’s 72 fire stations.
Wattie and his wife Christine also purchased the Spring Grove Cattery after moving to the settlement six months ago so their daughters Caitlyn and Jasmine could live with them again after boarding at Garin College’s hostels.
“I’ve only been with the Wakefield brigade for four months and its great team has made me feel so welcome, it’s an honour to be leading them into the future,” he says.
To book a free home fire safety visit, email NelsonMarlboroughDistrict-CRRTeam@fireandemergency.nz or call 0800 693 473
