122nd Annual Report 2020-21

122

ND

ANNUAL REPORT

for the year ended 31st March 2021

WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE SUPPORT UNIT

CONTENTS A YEAR IN REVIEW

01

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

04

Emergency Responses 01 Additional training 02 Events 03

MEMBERSHIP 05 Meet our team As at 31 March 2021 05 Recruitment 06 Membership Changes 06

TREASURER’S REPORT

07

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

08

THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

10

Cover photo by Blair Hillyard WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE SUPPORT UNIT

Our Team (Photo by Project Bloom)

A YEAR IN REVIEW I am pleased to present the 122nd Annual Report for Wellington Volunteer Fire Service Support Unit (trading as Wellington Operational Support Unit).

OIC - SSO Jono Ashman

It has been another unusual year adjusting to the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. While there haven’t been as many restrictions as last year, we have seen a noticeable drop in call numbers. It has also required us to hold our 122nd AGM, to be held on 20 September, virtually and postpone our awards until restrictions reduce again.

EMERGENCY RESPONSES We responded to 42 incidents, working for a combined total of 498.6 hours. The significant time accrued at incidents is due to our team consistently responding fully crewed with additional support attending when required.

ROLES UNDERTAKEN

TIMES PERFORMED

Traffic Management

16

Crew Recovery

13

Liaison with Public

11

Scene Security

9

Crowd Control

7

Salvage

6

Equipment Makeup

6

Incident Logistics

4

Scene Lighting

2

Victim Support

2

Our primary duties remain the management of traffic and people. However, we perform a wide range of duties at most incidents, including incident ground logistics, crew recovery, and transport. With many personnel able to respond quickly, we can sectorise our duties and offer a comprehensive service.

We have continued to increase coordination with neighbouring Operational Support units, providing capability during long duration incidents. We want to thank Remutaka, Wainuiomata, Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Tawa Operational Support units for their ongoing support.

122ND ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021

01

USAR Cat-1A Awareness Training (Photos by Blair Hillyard)

ADDITIONAL TRAINING In addition to our regular training to keep our core skills current, we also try to attend additional training to expand our awareness and capabilities.

Blair, who has had extensive emergency response experience with SPCA Animal Rescue Unit, arranged for several of our team to attend these courses for free.

Thanks to our member Blair Hillard, we were invited to join three courses, USAR Cat-1A Awareness, USAR Cat-1R Responder and Swiftwater Responder Plus.

Animal Evac NZ hosted the courses and was run by certified International Technical Research Association (ITRA) instructors.

The following members attended: USAR CAT-1A AWARENESS Cullum Peni-Wesche Jono Ashman Mark Foster Ray Peniamina Rhys Edlin Simon Luke

USAR CAT-1R RESPONDER Cullum Peni-Wesche Jono Ashman Ray Peniamina Simon Luke

SWIFTWATER AWARENESS* Stephen Lambert Tomasz Jozefowski

SWIFTWATER RESPONDER PLUS Ethan Richardson Sam Lockett-Turton

* This was a reduced Swiftwater Responder Plus course due to inclement weather conditions on the day.

We especially want to thank Steve Glassey, Co-Founder and Patron of Animal Evac NZ and former President of ITRA, for coordinating and providing excellent training along with Blair.

02

WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE SUPPORT UNIT

EVENTS Even during the uncertain times of Covid-19, our team were able to attend a large number of events, including a wide variety of fire safety promotions.

EVENTS ATTENDED TYPE

EVENT

DATE

Joint Training

Wellington Airport Rescue Fire

27 Aug 2020

Additional Training

ITRA USAR Cat-1A Awareness

26-27 Sep 2020

Fire Safety Promotions

Home & Garden Show

02-04 Oct 2020

Gold Star

SSO John Edmond’s Gold Star

03 Oct 2020

Fire Safety Promotions

Emergency Services Expo

10 Oct 2020

Additional Training

ITRA Introduction to Swiftwater Responder Plus

Fire Safety Promotions

Titahi Bay Brigade 75th Anniversary

Additional Training

ITRA USAR Cat-1R Responder

11, 24-25 Oct 2020

Joint Training

Plimmerton Volunteer Brigade

14 Oct 2020

Visit

Wellington Free Ambulance Comms Centre visit

02 Nov 2020

Awards Night

121st AGM

06 Nov 2020

Joint Brigade Event

BATB BBQ

07 Nov 2020

Fire Safety Promotions

Wairarapa Emergency Expo

28 Nov 2020

Fire Safety Promotions

A Very Welly Xmas

28 Nov 2020

Additional Training

ITRA Introduction to Swiftwater Responder Plus

Visit

National Train Control Centre visit

01 Feb 2021

Joint Training

Wellington Rural Fire Force

10 Mar 2021

Fire Safety Promotions

Miramar Central School Ethnic Food Fair

12 Mar 2021

Joint Brigade Event

BATB BBQ

13 Mar 2021

Fire Safety Promotions

Tu meke Taita

20 Mar 2021

17-18 Oct2020 10 Oct 2020

05-06 Dec 2020

Visit to Wellington Airport Rescue Fire

122ND ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021

03

Fire extinguisher training (Photo by Blair Hillyard)

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT With support from SO Phil Harris, I have continued in the role of Station Training Coordinator, and we’ve worked hard to keep our training both interesting and relevant.

This can be surprisingly difficult, as it’s easy to fall into a rut of “same-ol’ same-ol’” for many of our core skills and competencies. But recognising that it’s easy to be complacent, sometimes we have no choice but to cover off the basics; to ensure core skills remain intact, a little bit of repetition can’t be helped.

A standout success was engaging the support of then-outgoing FENZ trainer Kerry Hiku to carry out some practical training with fire extinguishers. FF Blair Hillyard captured some excellent photographs on the night, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended. A big thanks to Kerry for his help to make the training a great success.

The abbreviated reporting period (from 1 July until 30 March) was mostly free from Covid-19 disruptions, which allowed us to participate in a variety of training opportunities. These included a visit to Wellington Airport Rescue Fire, visits to the Ambulance Central Communications Centre, and of course, our 2-yearly Medical Co-Responder training run by St John.

04

WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE SUPPORT UNIT

Early in 2021, we visited the National Train Control Centre, congratulated Todd Skilton on successfully completing the Operational Support Recruits course in Rotorua, did some joint training with our friends at Wellington Rural Fire Force, and joined with several other volunteer brigades to take part in a Psychological Wellbeing workshop, which is highly recommended. And when not off-station, we trained locally, either at Kilbirnie station or in our neighbouring suburbs, keeping up our skills across-the-board – everything from knots-andlines to salvage, pump work and traffic management.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who’ve supported the training portfolio during this period, especially the members of our wider FENZ community who’ve helped enable joint training opportunities, or provide much-needed equipment, or enabled us to visit interesting places. I must also thank our own brigade members, who continue to enthusiastically participate, no matter the subject.

SO Mark Foster

Station Training Coordinator

MEMBERSHIP MEET OUR TEAM As at 31 March 2021

Officer in Charge

2IC & Station Training Coordinator

SO PHILIP HARRIS

SO NORM KELLY

SO MARK FOSTER

QFF CATHERINE COE

QFF CHELSEA CALVERT

QFF STEPHEN LAMBERT

QFF RAY PENIAMINA

QFF CULLUM PENI-WESCHE

FF ALEX COUSINS

FF RHYS EDLIN

FF BREE FREEMAN

FF SAM GARD

FF SIMON LUKE

FF ETHAN RICHARDSON

FF KELSEY SCOTT

FF SAM VAN ERPERS ROIJAARDS

RFF BLAIR HILLYARD

RFF TOM JOZEFOWSKI

RFF COLIN LARSEN

RFF TODD SKILTON

VBS RAEWYN JONES

VBS SAMANTHA READ

SSO JONO ASHMAN

Safety, Health & Wellbeing Advocate

FF Representative

Treasurer

Brigade Support

Station Training Coordinator

Secretary

Brigade Support

122ND ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021

05

RECRUITMENT

LIFE MEMBERS

We have a strong membership, and our recruitment panel continues to plan recruitment activities to ensure we have a diverse team that reflects the community we serve.

Our Life Member Liaison, Brian Arons, has had regular contact with our Life Members, helping organise events (when not in lockdown), offering help when needed and reporting back to the brigade at each of our meetings.

MEMBERSHIP CHANGES

Brian has been attempting to organise a luncheon for Life Members however, the Covid-19 restrictions have prevented this. We hope to organise one when restrictions end.

Members at 01 July 2020: 20 Members Resigned: 1 New Members: 4

Our Life Members

Members at 31 March 2021: 23

Members Joining NAME

DATE

Roger Bullock (Patron)

Ron Lennon

Brian Arons

Chris Raine

Blair Hillyard (Rejoined)

01 Jul 2020

Annette Francis

Bryan Roband

Samantha Read

23 Jul 2020

Alan Heppleston

Jane Stevens

Catherine Coe (Rejoined)

14 Oct 2020

Barry Lanauze

John Wilson

Tomasz Jozefowski

18 Nov 2020

Sandy Lawson J.P.

DATE

TIME SERVED WITH US

06 Nov 2020

1 year 6 months

Members Leaving NAME

Sam Lockett-Turton

REASON FOR LEAVING

Transferred to Titahi Bay

Operational Support Course Class of 2020

06

WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE SUPPORT UNIT

TREASURER’S REPORT The Unit decided to alter its financial reporting period year-end from 30 June, which the Unit had previously utilised, to 31 March, the standard year-end for incorporated societies and other volunteer brigades across Wellington. This simplifies administration for Area finance staff.

The Unit’s finances remain in a solid position after another steady year. As at 31 March 2021, the Unit held a total of $47,686 in our bank accounts and term deposits. This is a decrease of $2652 from 2019-20, primarily due to one less quarterly grant being included in this reporting period due to the change of year-end.

Administration Account

Term Deposits

Income from FENZ quarterly grants was $7196, consistent with recent years and sufficient to meet the Unit’s general administration needs. Expenses were $7936, with the main areas of spending being the Annual General Meeting and awards night, general administration and expenses associated with attendance at callouts and Unit photos.

There is currently a total of $39,715 balance across three-term deposits, an increase of $745 interest over the year. These deposits are invested for a range of periods. Some of these funds are expected to be used for equipment upgrades in due course. Interest rates have continued to drop for these term deposits, resulting in diminishing interest returns.

Equipment Account

Thanks to our Examiner of the Books

The end-of-year Equipment Account balance reduced by $852 from 2019-20. The expenses were the purchase of display cabinets and urn for the brigade room, ‘OiC’ printing for high visibility vests and purchasing personal illumination devices.

A special thanks again to our Examiner of the Books, Roger Bullock. Roger’s understanding of the roles and financial needs of the Unit is very much appreciated in his yearly scrutiny of our accounts.

Special Purposes Account

FF Todd Skilton

Brigade Treasurer

The Special Purposes account is designed to have funds readily available to assist members and former members in need or for small gifts following ill health and bereavements. This year, only one small payment was made, reducing the balance by $33 from 2019-2020.

Social Account The Social account remains open in case there is a future need for a separate account.

122ND ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021

07

WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE SUPPORT UNIT

FINANCIAL STATEMENT Statement of Receipts and Payments for the period 01 July 2020 to 31 March 2021.

General Accounts (00) Income

2020

2021

$

1,487 Opening Balance

$

2,511

$

9,189 FENZ Grant

$

$

2 Interest

$

$

$

355

7,196

$

1,590 UFBA Conference

$

-

1

$

238 AGM Expenses

$

3,038

$

695 Social Expenses

$

1,248

$

821

$

702

$

$

2021

1,032 UFBA Honours

$

$ 10,678

Expenditure

2020

9,708

1,340 OiC Expenses 319 Gifts

$

1,505 Unit Administration

$

575

$

1,450 Executive Expenses

$

-

$

- Other Expenses

$

1,198

$

2,511 Closing Balance

$

1,772

$

9,708

$ 10,678

Social Account (01) Income

2020

2021

Expenditure

2020

$

- Opening Balance

$

-

$

- Interest

$

-

$

0

$

0

2021

$

- Closing Balance

$

-

$

0

$

0

Equipment Account (03) 2020 $

Income

8329 Opening Balance

$

965 Fundraising

$

8 Interest

2021 $

7,293

$

-

$

4

$ $

08

9,303

$

7,296

WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE SUPPORT UNIT

360 Equipment - Lighting 1,125 Equipment - Other

2021 $

-

$

274

$

241 Fundraiser expenses

$

-

$

285 Training provider

$

-

$ $

Expenditure

2020

- Display Cabinets / Urn

582

$

7,293 Closing Balance

$

6,440

$

9,303

$

7,296

2020 $ $ $

Special Purposes Account (97) Income Expenditure 2021 2020

2,032 Opening Balance 2 Interest 2034

$

1,564

$

$

1

$

$

1,564

470 Gifts - Support to LHM Wife

2021 $

-

$

34

$

1,564 Closing Balance

$

1,531

$

2,034

$

1,564

Term Deposit (04) 2020

Income

2021

$ 21,577 Opening Balance

$ 22,298

$

$

721 Interest

$ 22,298

2020

Expenditure

2021

$ 22,298 Closing Balance

$ 22,717

$ 22,298

$ 22,717

419

$ 22,717

Term Deposit (05) 2020 $ $ $

Income

5,796 Opening Balance 443 Interest 6,239

2021 $

6,239

$

76

$

6,315

2020

Expenditure

2021

$

6,239 Closing Balance

$

6,315

$

6,239

$

6,315

Term Deposit (07) 2020

Income

2021

$ 10,087 Opening Balance

$ 10,433

$

$

346 Interest

$ 10,433

2020

Expenditure

2021

$ 10,433 Transfer to Admin Account

$ 10,683

$ 10,433

$ 10,683

250

$ 10,683

I have examined the Books, Accounts, and Vouchers of the Wellington Operational Support Unit for the period, 01 July 2020 to 31 March 2021, and in my opinion, the statements and payments for the General, Social, Equipment, and Special Purposes accounts, and three Term Deposits as presented are a true and fair record of the transactions that have taken place during the period.

Roger Bullock

Examiner of the books 07 September 2021

122ND ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021

09

Our Team (Photo by Project Bloom)

THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We continue to receive excellent support from Fire and Emergency NZ. The organisation is walking the walk, delivering on its promise to provide a safe and engaging workplace for volunteers.

I’d like to specifically thank: • AM Dave Key and AAM Des Irving for their invaluable support • The VSO team of John Rowe and Jamie Molenaar who are always available to answer questions and provide support • Area 16’s business support team, Coral Savage and Nita Patel.

Thank you also to: • Our Management Committee, SO Phil Harris, SO Mark Foster, RFF Todd Skilton, VBS Raewyn Jones and FF Stephen Lambert, for their ideas and hard work • FF Kelsey Scott for his work as our Safety, Health and Wellbeing Advocate, and • The rest of our team who continue to offer their valuable time to train and respond for the service of our community.

FF Cullum Peni-Wesche at USAR Cat-1R training

10

WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE SUPPORT UNIT

122 YEARS SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY WHEN THEY NEED IT THE MOST