R.I.P. Stuart Brandt.



Passed away aged 70 years in Paris, Illinois, USA on 14th January 2010.



Stu was early Editor of the New Zealand FireLines Magazine as well as a Fire Photographer and Fire Buff.



He had a lot of dealings with the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Brigade during the transition in the 1970's to a nationalised service now known as the New Zealand Fire Service.



He will be sorely missed by his many friends in New Zealand…



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Now that the new decade has started and having had time to reflect on what I have and have not achieved over the last 10 years it is time to set some goals.



1. Family always comes first;

2. Lose those excess kilograms;

3. Get fit;

4. Remain active and involved not just in firefighting but in my community as well;

5. Keep learning;

6. Continue to promote firefighting as a career choice not just for those who want to do this as paid work but for those people… Continue

Paint and soft furnishing shop, plus others lost in a major fire last night in Dargaville (North Islands, New Zealand)



This fire went to a 5th Alarm with over 100 firefighters attending. We were put on station cover but didn't get to roll, just sit and listen. No injuries to firefighters or the public, just property damage.



A firebuff friend happened to be visiting relatives in Dargaville when the fire started and has captured some wonderful… Continue

Happy New Year to one and all from the first country in the world (New Zealand) to see 2009 arrive. The time here has just clicked over midnight.

I hope the new year brings your dreams to fruition and fills your life with the things you desire.

I am sitting here feeling very sad over the LODD of Ray Barrett who was killed when the truck he was responding to a motor vehicle crash in rolled off the road yesterday just north of Hicks Bay at Waihau Bay.



Of even more concern for me is that the 30 year old truck involved, a Bedford MK65 is the same as what my unit is running.



Having seen some… Continue