The TECT all terrain park at Pyes Pa is a step closer to being open for business with the formation of its own rural fire fighting force.
At present, 22 volunteers from the Tauranga area are training to be fire fighters there, including a husband and wife team from the Oropi Road area, says park ranger Jarron McInnes.

TECT all terrain park ranger Jarron McInnes and Kevin Kelly.

“My wife Julie’s joined up,” says Jarron, “since shifting up here she realises the advantages of it.”
It also means there will be someone else on site to get a crew together if there’s a fire while Jarron’s out.
The park’s location, nearly half an hour from Barkes Corner, means any fires that break out in the park’s forestry area will have to be handled by a smaller team of people who live in the rural “neighbourhood” before more fire fighters arrive.
Oceania Helicopters are 10 minutes flying time away, but there’s a Ngongotaha based helicopter four minutes flying time away. Driving time for the paid fire fighters from Greerton or Rotorua is about half and hour.
The all terrain park rural fire fighters will be available for rural fire fighting outside the park boundaries, says Jarron.
“It is a big thing to get all the locals in behind the park, and we are part of the neighbourhood.
“Principal Rural Fire Officer for the Tauranga Moana Rural fire Barry Low has been really supportive of the group,” says Jarron.
“He says we should set up a proper volunteer fire service.”
Barry found them their fire engine. It had been decommissioned, and spent some time at the Greerton Fire Station. It was about to be auctioned when fingered for a new career, was restored, repainted and is now back at work.