You could be a vital part of a $26billion industry, close to home and in your spare time. It’s not a scam, but that’s the contribution the volunteer sector makes to the NZ economy each year. And organisations in Te Kauwhata have plenty of opportunities for locals to take part, no matter your interest or time availability.
Te Kauwhata’s Chief Fire Officer Glen (Mush) Whitaker says the Te Kauwhata fire brigade is always on the lookout for capable people who live and work locally and have a passion to put something back into their community.
Te Kauwhata’s brigade is solely voluntary, and so far, this year attended over 120 callouts ranging from backyard rubbish fires, scrub, car and structure fires, vehicle accidents, and medical callouts supporting St John’s Ambulance.
“Te Kauwhata is fortunate to have members who live and work in the town and are able with support from their employers to respond in an emergency both during work hours and at night, “he says.
While there’s a solid need for ‘on the truck’ firefighters there are also openings for operational support members. Mush says the brigade is also looking at how they might work in with people who have time in school hours to work with the team.
The brigade has 38 members: 30 Operational Fire Fighters, two Recruit Fire Fighters, backed up by six Operational Support members and one Brigade Support Member
Local resident Calum Twist is in an unusual position holding volunteer positions as Station Officer with the fire brigade and Emergency Medical Technician with Hato Hone St Johns directly across the road in Baird Ave.
Hato Hone St John’s Te Kauwhata has a paid ambulance crew operating from 8am to 8pm, 365 days a year. But, overnight, the community is supported by a volunteer-crewed First Response Unit; currently with three active volunteers, with others in training – and openings available for more volunteers.
The workload varies from week to week, with some weeks seeing multiple callouts, attending to falls and unwell children through to motor vehicle crashes and serious medical emergencies.
At times, a qualified responder may attend alone rather than as part of a crew of two. The First Response Unit’s role is to provide early assessment and treatment until additional ambulance resources arrive where needed. There are clear competency requirements, and nobody responds independently until they have demonstrated the skills and experience required.
If the Emergency Services aren’t your thing, then there’s lots of other opportunities to volunteer, meet new people and become part of the vibrant growing Te Kauwhata community. Te Kauwhata Community House serves as a community hub open from 9.30am to 4pm weekdays. The team there are happy to provide local information on a wide range of activities in the community that people may wish to volunteer for or just engage in socially.
The Community House itself is always seeking volunteers for:
Community Transport: licensed drivers, using Community Transport vehicles to take people to medical appointments locally and further afield during the week.
Community Garden; got green fingers but a small garden? Join the Tuesday morning working bee at the garden in Mahi Rd (domain grounds). Other garden tasks may be available through community house and the lead gardener.
Neighbourhood Support and Event Volunteers: – can you help with jobs such as parking, cooking, set up, supervision etc at community events?
Luncheon Club: working with TK Lions hosting a monthly Luncheon Club for seniors.
The Community Patrol is always looking for volunteers with up to four hours a month to spare, helping keep the community safe with drive by patrols under the Community Patrols of NZ guidelines. More volunteers equals the potential for more patrols and greater security in the community.
As a growing village, Te Kauwhata also has thriving Girl Guide and Scout groups, service groups such as Lions and the usual school BoT and PTA groups, the Community Events group who put on the A&P Show, as well as sports and environmental groups who are always keen to have an extra pair of helping hands.
You can find contacts and more info at the Community House 07 826 4303, or the library; or check out most groups at the upcoming A&P show.
By Chris Davies
