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Ararua Fire Fighters 15 Years of Service Acknowledged

Tuesday 2 December 2008, 10:50AM

By Kaipara District Council

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Garry Langridge�s 15 years of service to the Ararua Volunteer Rural Fire Force is acknowledged by Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller
Garry Langridges 15 years of service to the Ararua Volunteer Rural Fire Force is acknowledged by Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller Credit: Kaipara District Council
Garry Langridge and Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller (third and fourth from left) with Ararua Volunteer Rural Fire Force members who attended the presentation to support their Deputy Controller � from left; Troy Savage, Controller Mike Moulds, Shaun Holt and Ra
Garry Langridge and Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller (third and fourth from left) with Ararua Volunteer Rural Fire Force members who attended the presentation to support their Deputy Controller  from left; Troy Savage, Controller Mike Moulds, Shaun Holt and Ra Credit: Kaipara District Council

NORTHLAND

The contribution by community volunteers was highlighted on Wednesday (November 26) when Kaipara District Council acknowledged Garry Langridge’s 15 years service to the Ararua Volunteer Rural Fire Force.

Mr Langridge, who joined as a volunteer rural fire fighter and is now the Deputy Controller, was presented with the Fire Service’s Long Service Medal by Mayor Neil Tiller at a special ceremony during the monthly Council meeting.

Since 1996 the Ararua Volunteer Rural Fire Force has attended 43 incidents, ranging from car, house, scrub and barn fires to medical emergencies and dealing with fallen trees. It has also acted in a support role to other brigades on numerous occasions.

In addition to callouts its members also attend fortnightly training sessions and keep vehicles and gear ready for use. They also undertake a variety of specialist courses, including first aid, while a Deputy Controller needs extra qualifications.

Mayor Tiller says Mr Langridge’s dedication and ongoing commitment to the community and Volunteer Rural Fire Forces is inspirational.

“It is wonderful that people like Garry are able to devote this sort of time to rural fire forces on top of all their other commitments.,” he said, adding that recognition is also due to wives and families who “milk the cows and keep things going when there are call-outs.”

“I am very pleased to present this medal because we really appreciate the work rural fire parties, and you in particular put in.”

The ceremony was attended by a number of Ararua Volunteer Rural Fire Force personnel and members of the local community.

Controller Mike Moulds, himself due for a Long Service Medal next year, described his deputy as “a very valuable community member who is also heavily involved in rock ‘n’ roll and the golf club.”

In response Mr Langridge said he thoroughly enjoyed his Rural Fire Force roll and thanked his crew for their support and his wife Linda for putting up with his enforced absences.

Kaipara Emergency Support Officer Jim Goodland says organisations like Ararua Volunteer Rural Fire Force serve an extremely valuable function and, in addition to their emergency roles, are seen as the focal point for their communities.