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The Observer | February edition

Page 24

E M E R G E N C Y S E RV I C E S POLICE update

ST JOHN

with

with

with

Mitch Alatalo

Mel Brooker

Trevor Ealam

One month down, and away we go again. I hope everyone has survived the school holidays juggling kids and family commitments. With the start of the new year, there will be an increase in children out and about in the mornings and in the afternoon. I ask that you be vigilant around these periods. Kids can be unpredictable on the roads and around pedestrian crossings. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, as I have said numerous times, and it has not changed. Over the past months I have attended far too many crashes on gravel roads. Most of which can be attributed to speed. The one answer I get from most of the drivers when I ask how fast were you going is: “About 100km/hr, I drive these roads all of the time, I know the road and my vehicle is built for the roads” Please slow down. Gravel roads are forever changing, and all it takes is a build up of gravel in the lane or a gust of wind, and the outcome can be life changing! Last but not least, a quick reminder.

FIRE RESCUE

update

update

As I sit and write this report, it is steadily drizzling outside. The weather certainly has been interesting so far this year.

I hope you all have had a great start to the year and were able to enjoy some time off at some point.

We had a wonderful day at the Oxford Wheels With Wings. We were there recruiting new members. The day was exceptionally run, and had a fantastic country community vibe, which everyone was commenting on.

In December the Brigade was called eight times. Three of the calls were to assist the Cust Fire Brigade, one at a hedge fire, one to a shed fire and one to a gas explosion where there was a person injured.

So far this year we have been very busy with a variety of call outs attended. Sunday night was one of the few nights in eighteen years that we haven’t been able to man the ambulance. Personally I find this unacceptable for our Oxford community, but we just don’t have the volunteers. Our team is doing all they can, so this doesn’t happen and they do a fantastic job. But simply we need new members.

In our area we were asked to setup a landing zone for a Westpac helicopter, attended a fire in a tractor, which was totally destroyed. This was caused by a bird's nest. A car shed fire where the shed, car and a mobility scooter were all destroyed, and two medical assists. This brings our total calls for the year to eighty eight, ten calls less than the previous year.

If you can help us, please call the station on 03 312 3516, leave your name and number, and our recruiting officer will be in touch.

This months message is; Before you go to bed or head off to work, make sure you turn off all non essential electrical appliances at the wall.

There have been an unacceptable number of lives lost due to drowning this year. Please know your ability around/in water, and don’t get in if you don’t KNOW you can get out!

Report, report, report. There is 111 for emergencies, 105 via the phone or internet for something that has already happened and the not so new Rural Lookout App. If you don’t have it on your phone download it. It’s a handy tool to have.

One last thing, please don’t hesitate to call the ambulance early, even if you are unsure. We don’t mind coming.

Thank you for your time. Until next month. Be safe. Feel safe.

Stay well and safe.

The ambulance station at Oxford is not manned 24 hours a day. If you require emergency assistance please call 111.

FOR ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL 111

Serving the North Canterbury Area

“Totally Dependable”

Phone: 0800 63 63 00 twenty four

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