Northland wildfire management 2009-2010
General fire weather conditions
Northland experienced one of its driest summers on record with between 30% - 60% less than average rainfall. An official drought of medium scale was declared on 20 January 2010.
'Less wildfires' public awareness campaign
Northland continued to push ahead with its 'Less wildfires' public awareness campaign that started over two years ago targeting schools in Northland. DOC Northland together with the New Zealand Fire Service engage a contractor to deliver DOC's 'Less wildfires' campaign and the Fire Service Fire Wise programme. Community feedback has been suggesting the campaign is working - it's affecting peoples attitudes.
View the resource 'Northland Wildfire Prevention Education Programme'
Fire investigations
9 fire investigations are currently underway in Northland, and 5 have been completed this year. DOC will seek 1 fire prosecution and summons has been issued.
Fire training for DOC staff
Northland staff take part in regular drills and training sessions to maintain their fire fighting and fire management skills. In addition, staff trained and studied, gaining new qualifications:
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Type of training
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Number of staff
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CIMS (Co-ordinated Incident Management System)
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8
|
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Crew Leader
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4
|
|
Rural Fire Officer & Permit Issue
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2
|
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Helicopter
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31
|
|
Standard Training Package
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8
|
|
Seasonal Fire Fighter Programme
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3
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Equipment checks and service
Pre-season checks for Northland and Auckland regions included staff servicing 197 lengths of hose and all pumps. 13 pumps also received repairs during this season.
Fire planning
Northland Conservancy reviewed and updated its comprehensive response plan.
Fire mapping
Northland changed all maps to the new Topo 50 series.
Review of fire safety margins
DOC is responsible for preventing and managing fires on public conservation land, all unoccupied crown land (including crown riverbeds) and within one kilometre of these lands.
About 480 fire safety margins have been removed in Northland. This has resulted in a significant reduction to the number of declared 'DOC fires'. During the 2009-2010 fire season, at least 20 extra fires would have been DOC-managed if the margins had remained. The reduction of fire safety margins has been a big cost saver for the Department in both dollars and freeing up staff for other valuable conservation work.
Northland fire fighters assist worldwide
The deployment of DOC fire fighters including Northland staff to British Columbia in August 2009 was very hard but a great success for New Zealand's assistance to other countries. The experience builds on the skills of Northland staff in CIMS. Other authorities are now widely acknowledging our specialist aspects of fire control and are seeking our assistance at fires.
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