Donation boosts local rural Fire Brigade with new ute

An essential Waipā-based community services provider is ecstatic after receiving an ex-fleet vehicle donated by Waipā Networks.

Last week, Waipā Networks CEO Sean Horgan officially handed over the Mitsubishi Triton ute, which will improve Pirongia Volunteer Fire Brigade’s capacity to respond quickly and efficiently to local emergencies.

Pirongia’s population growth and the rise in the number of fire calls have made the donation timely. Currently, the brigade responds to 90 to 100 fire calls each year.

The Pirongia Volunteer Fire Brigade is a rural volunteer fire station with around 25 members who dedicate their time to serving the community. Callouts can range from structural and scrub fires to motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies such as cardiopulmonary incidents and strokes, and natural disasters, including landslides, flooding, and fallen trees. Volunteers also provide education on fire safety and burning.

Fire Chief Roan Gouws was thrilled when he was told to make room in the garage for the new addition to the fleet.

“We kicked off a fundraising campaign in February this year to get a new emergency vehicle and to have the network jump in and do what they have done for us is just amazing. The target we had set was $90,000, and when everyone out there is doing it tough, we knew it was a big ask”

“This ute will make an enormous difference and improve our ability to protect and serve our growing Pirongia community. We’re grateful to Waipā Networks for their generosity and ongoing support for our brigade and our community members. This will have a massive impact.”

This is the second time Waipā Networks has supported local emergency services over the past year. In August 2023, Waipā Networks partnered with other local funders to provide vital funding to the Kawhia Volunteer Fire Brigade for a new emergency response utility vehicle.

Pirongia Fire Brigade’s new ute will be fully equipped with essential firefighting and rescue gear, allowing volunteers to reach difficult terrain and remote locations inaccessible by larger fire trucks.