A independent review of Fire Service's response to deadly February earthquake in Christchurch has heavily criticised the organisation for allowing tensions to fester for years.
Fire damage to a building on Worcester Street.
Fire damage to a building on Worcester Street.
Fire damage to a building on Worcester Street.
Fire damage to a building on Worcester Street.
Fire following earthquakes have caused the largest single loss due to earthquakes and in most cases have caused more damage than the quake itself. This problem is regarded very seriously in Japan and in some parts of the United States of America (San Francisco), but is not very seriously considered in other earthquake prone countries, yet the potential for future conflagrations following earthquakes is enormous. Any discussion of post earthquake fire must take into account structural and non-structural damages, initial and spreading fire, wind, water availability, and emergency responses. In this paper we will look at initial fire ignitions, growth and spread and life and property damage. Prevention methods will also be discussed. We will also discuss as examples some case studies: - San Francisco 1989 - Napier 1931 -Christchurch (scenario)
A video of an interview with New Zealand Fire Service Chief Executive and National Commander Paul Baxter, about the findings of the coronial inquest into the CTV building deaths. Coroner Gordon Matenga found that failures by the Fire Service and Urban Search and Rescue did not contribute to the deaths of eight students at the CTV site in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Baxter talks about the importance of acknowledging the families of the deceased, and the changes and improvements that have been made by the New Zealand Fire Service since the collapse of the CTV building.
Page 2 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Friday 7 December 2012.
Christchurch woman Pam Sharpe has endured earthquakes, fires and dealing with insurance companies, but then she received a parking ticket. She tells Checkpoint what happened next.
On the evening of February 7th, 1908 the headlines in the Star ‘screamed out’ A DISASTROUS FIRE, HUGE OUTBREAK IN THE CITY, CENTRAL BLOCK DEVASTATED, DAMAGE AMOUNTS TO HUNDREDS OF THOUS…
Mark Littleton is the Chief Fire Officer in Lyttleton.
A temporary tent structure outside the central fire station.
The fire service in Christhcurch says its resources are stretched.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner volunteer Fire Brigade - Kevin Rowlands".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. Daryl Sayer".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner volunteer Fire Brigade. Alan Kerr".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. Damian Simpson".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. Angela Gilmour".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteer. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade - Tom Howkins".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. Tony Frazer".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. Darren Wright".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. Jarrod Gilbert".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. Daniel Afeau".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. James Ullrich".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. Geoff Curle".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers. Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade. Andy Turner".
A page banner promoting articles titled, "Antique find: artefacts under building" and, "CBD fire: McKenzie & Willis building ablaze".
Page 5 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Saturday 26 October 2013.
Page 11 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Tuesday 1 April 2014.
A video of a tour of the new central Christchurch police station. The video includes interviews with Riwai Grace, Fire Communications Shift Manager at the New Zealand Fire Service, and Superintendent Gary Knowles, Canterbury Area Commander for the New Zealand Police. Knowles gives The Press a tour of the new training area, cafeteria, courtyard, firearm simulator room, prosecution area, interview rooms, and cell blocks.