July 27 2021
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Fire service a family affair u by Paul Campbell
A rural fire force award presentation held at Tinopai last weekend turned into a revelation that one family has accumulated a total of eighty years of dedicated fire fighting service over several generations and is still adding to the total.
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“The Tinopai Voluntary Rural Fire Force held its inaugural honours event at the community hall in Tinopai,” said Rural Controller Nigel Bernie. “Among a number of firefighters awarded at the event was local fire brigade and coastguard identity Allan Crabb, now retired, who received a Forest and Rural Fire Association of New Zealand (FRFANZ) 25-Year Gold Star and three 3-Year Gold Bars for a total of 34 years of service.” Commenting afterwards Allan revealed his grandfather Goerge Crabb served Devonport Fire Brigade for 35 years, and his father John Crabb at Laingholm for nine years. “As a special surprise for Allan Crabb, senior firefighter Haydon Crabb (Allan’s son) and his partner qualified firefighter Annie Soper from the Milton Volunteer Fire Brigade were at the awards,” said Nigel. The couple each has 14 years of service. Allan Crabb recalls many callouts for the Tinopai firemen with a memorable incident at the local school. “A remote meter reading device had ignited and the school reported the smell of burning plastic. Because of the school location brigades from Tinopai, Paparoa and Ruawai responded. Fortunately, it was dealt to with a fire extinguisher with no real damage done.” Allan has also run up 28 years with the North Kaipara Coastguard and is currently a qualified master of the Tinopai rescue craft. “But after all these years I reckon
p Veteran fireman Allan Crabb with Annie Soper and her partner, and Allan’s son Haydon Crabb at the awards presentation
it is really a good time for a holiday so we are off to take a look around the South Island. Then it’s back to the sea patrol I guess.” The brigade was established in 1996 and is active in fire and medical incidents in Tinopai and the surrounding area. At the awards, rural deputy controller Robbie Kersey received three 2-Year UFBA Silver Bars taking total service to 19 years and other awards went to Scott Geange, representing three years of service; Paula
Browne, nine years of service; Wayne Browne, nine years; and Bob Goodin, 13 years service. The Tinopai brigade responds to a variety of emergencies that can include wildfires, civil defence and natural disasters and is the place to check fire safety and burning advice as well as fire season status and permits. To learn more about being a Fire and Emergency New Zealand Volunteer, go to fireandemergency.nz/volunteering. ¢
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