Speech at Tamahere Model Country School
I think everyone here today is familiar with the tragic events of 5th April 2008, as Dame Margaret has outlined.
Red Watch, a group of highly experienced firefighters, responded to a routine fire alarm call at the Icepak Coolstores here in Tamahere.
Before they could establish what had triggered the alarm, the explosion occurred killing Senior Station Officer Derek Lovell and inflicting severe injuries on the remaining seven firefighters.
This was a terrible tragedy for the families involved, the New Zealand Fire Service and the Waikato community. I want to acknowledge the distress caused by this tragedy, and also acknowledge the huge demonstration of public support which followed. It shows the high regard in which firefighters are held by the public of New Zealand.
The events of April 5th
If there was one small piece of luck for the men of Red Watch, it was when this event occurred. The annual "Pumpkin Night" fundraising event had just begun and so many of you were present. I have been to one of these Pumpkin nights myself before with nephew and niece Kyle and Renee Edge, who are here today.
When the first explosion occurred, you did not panic or hesitate. You immediately ran to offer your help.
Looking at pictures gives me some idea of the terrible situation you faced that day. The fire was spreading rapidly, firefighters were seriously injured and there were many secondary explosions.
Members of the public showed incredible courage by entering the site to rescue the firefighters, putting their own safety at risk to help others.
I am amazed at the capacity of some of the rescuers who lifted up the wreckage to pull a firefighter to safety, with the fire spreading around them.
Looking back, it would be hard to find a better qualified group to deal with such a situation. Those helping included an intensive care doctor, a specialist in facial injuries, and an anaesthetist.
Other people helped with bandaging and treating injuries, and in some cases accompanying the injured firefighters to hospital. I know that the firefighters battling this blaze were reassured to know the public were supporting them and looking after their wounded colleagues.
Other members of the community helped by providing water and access to help fight the fire.
Many of the photographs which convey the impact of the fire were taken by a local photographer who generously made them available to the Fire Service inquiry team. They form an important record of the day and were an invaluable source of information for the inquiry team.
The quick actions of bystanders have been credited with saving the lives of four of the critically injured firefighters. If not for their help, we could so easily be here today remembering a much bigger tragedy.
On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand I want to thank the people of Tamahere for their service in helping Hamilton Red Watch in its hour of need. That so many of Red Watch have been able to return to work is perhaps the best tribute to you.
As the Minister responsible for the Fire Service, I would also like to acknowledge the work of the firefighters in the immediate aftermath of the explosion. Despite the severe injuries to their colleagues they continued to fight the fire, protect the public and get on with the job.
This is a great tribute to their training and professionalism.
Firefighters are rightly seen as guardians of their communities, yet in this case it was the community which saved the firefighters. Thank you again to the people of Tamahere for your courage and bravery on that tragic day.