In August 1950 a disastrous fire destroyed the Farmers store and adjacent fish and chip shop on Main Street, Katikati.

Townspeople could only watch helplessly as the buildings were burnt to the ground.

'This catastrophe led directly to the formation of the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade as founding members David Hume and Alex Taylor rallied,” says Western Bay Museum manager Paula Gaelic.

This month the museum opened it latest exhibition – titled ‘70 Years of the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade' – to celebrate this outstanding seven decades of community service.

'These volunteers are true heroes that dedicate and commit to serving our community, to keep us all safe. They volunteer their time and their families make sacrifices,” says Paula.

Museum's callout

She now wants the community to answer the museum's callout – to go and view the exhibition to learn what others do in the name of service and protecting our community.

'We have spent many hours interviewing these quiet superheroes who are very reluctant to let you into their private space – they don't do it for honour or glory, but to help others. The comradery is another reason that is constantly spoken of amongst this family of firefighters,” says Paula.

In March 1953, three years after the disastrous August 1950 fire, 14 firemen were officially made active members of the Katikati Fire Brigade. There was no fire station and practice sessions were held at the Uretara Domain grounds in Crossley St every Sunday.

A glimpse inside Western Bay Museum's new exhibition ‘70 Years of the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade' now open to all. Photo: supplied.

Within a year this changed to 7pm Tuesday evenings – a day and time when members still meet at the station today. In October of that year the Chamber of Commerce met with the Tauranga County Council and both agreed that a brigade should be formed.

In August 1951, approval was given from Wellington and the TCC created the Katikati Secondary Urban Fire District and a Fire Brigade Committee to set up the fire brigade and build a fire station.

The Committee bought a Ford truck ute that was converted to a fire truck fitted with equipment lockers, a reel of hose and a 40-gallon water tank.

Shares stories

The truck was delivered on March 3, 1953 – at the same time 14 firemen were made active members of the new Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade. Land was provided by TCC and after a successful fundraising effort the building was eventually completed late-1955.

Paula says the museum exhibition shares stories of the honours and ‘Gold Star' service awards, the fire chiefs, the never-ending training in today's conditions, and the changes from firefighting to emergency response.

'The callout statistics in this past year recorded at 181 callouts, which is interesting to see the breakdown. They are all covering so many different incidents from fires, false alarms, road accidents and health calls until St Johns can get there.

'We truly hope that everyone comes to visit this exhibition. It is free to all ratepayers and residents of Western Bay of Plenty district.

'We hope to educate the public and make them think about their actions, and what and who is at risk when the siren calls.”

Paula thanks exhibition sponsor, Taylor Bros. Transport Ltd.

'When the sirens sound, I used to think: ‘Someone is in trouble' and now I think: ‘Oh my, who is going to this call out?'

'They are regular people doing a regular job or running a business; they drop tools and head out to help others, selflessly, without pay and a strong will to serve with pride.”