Rural Fire Network Ltd was established in September 1998 to provide Fire Management Services to Stakeholders of the Waimea Rural Fire Committee (WRFC)
Waimea Rural Fire Committee Stakeholders include:
- Nelson Forests Ltd
- Hancock Forest Management
- Tasman District Council
- Nelson City Council
- Department of Conservation
RFN manage the obligations of the WRFC and their responsibilities under The Forest & Rural Fires Act 1977, The Forest and Rural Fire Regulations 1979 and The Fire Service Act 1975.
Business is run from an office located in the Network Tasman Building, 66 Oxford Street, Richmond, NELSON, New Zealand.
Key Personnel
- Neil Eder - Manager
- Neil Eder - Principal Rural Fire Officer
- Doug Ashford - Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer
- Barry Walsh Equipment/Training Officer
- Mike Oliver Richmond Hill Lookout attendant
- Robin Thompson Zone Commander & (DPRFO)
- George Duff (Golden Bay)
- Trish Cook - Reception
Services Provided include:
Management of prescribed fire as a land management tool in the rural fire district through fire permit issue for all open air fires. This is done using a recently developed web based database.
Training the regions fire-fighters (Approx 500) & fire management teams. Utilising & promoting the New Zealand Co-ordonated Incident Management System (CIMS).
Input to council managment by providing submissions for topical matters relating to the management of fire .
Managing the rural fire equipment resources including 20 Fire Appliances & light vehicles, various pumps, volume & high pressure, fire tools, trailers etc.
Operating a seasonal regional fire lookout as a detection, monitoring & co-ordination tool for the fire district.
Attending fire events, managing & co-ordinating resources to ensure that effective & efficient control & restriction of fire is achieved.
Undertaking mitigation planning to minimise the wildfire potential. Auditing & checking against agreed standards & restrictions to ensure compliance.
Management & coordination of the regions voluntary rural fire forces.
Other Services provided:
Wildfire investigation Team led by Robin Thompson (NRFA Certified Wildfire Investigator) also consisting of an Electrical Engineer and Private Investigator (when required).
Reports or assessments on situations requiring rural fire expertise, including controlled landclearing burn-offs, rural property risk & hazard assessment,