The Midwinter express - not to be confused with the Goodwill Express - ran on 3 July between Wellington City and Upper Hutt. This special event - put on by TranzMetro/KiwiRail in conjunction with several other organisations, was organised to bring young cancer patients from Wellington Hospital out to Upper Hutt where Go Wellington had arranged a bus ride to Trentham Army Camp.

At Trentham Camp members of a variety of organisations - including Police, Fire (and Fire Police), the New Zealand Army and others - put on a day of display, demonstration and fun for the kids (of all ages). Photos and more after the jump.

Hutt Valley Fire Police put on a display of their own as part of the Open Day held by Upper Hutt Volunteer Fire Brigade at Trentham Fire Station, Sunday 28th March. Article and Photos now found in this updated article...

On Sunday 14 March members of the Unit took part in the Stokes Valley Fire Station open day which was held at the Stokes Valley Station. The Unit was ask to put on a display of what we have to offer and to show what the Fire Police are all about.

The day started at 1000hrs and as the morning went on the crowd started to flow through the station. There was a good level of interest shown in the display we put on and several potential recruits were provided with further information.

Hutt Valley Fire Police, along with friends from Wainuiomata and Paraparaumu Fire Police Units, partook in some training of another sort on Monday 14th: Some Team Building at the Petone 'Strike'.

“It was a chance to meet these people in a social rather than working environment” says SSO David Ackroyd, OIC of the Hutt Valley Fire Police and organiser of the event, “and for everyone to get to know each other better, and for the Units to get to know each other better.”

Over the last couple of years the Unit has worked more and more extensively with its counterparts from the surrounding areas and so it was nice to be able to invite them to join us at an end-of-year gathering. Developing those relationships makes a big different when it comes to providing mutual support.

And as for the Bowling? A great night was had by all, and in the end it was determined that 'we all won'. There were some standout scores on the night, however that was of course secondary to the goal of having some fun and building some relationships.

Wainuomata (left) and Paraparaumu (right) showing HVFP how it's done!

Once again HVFP were one of the key enablers for the Upper Hutt Santa Parade, held Saturday 5 December 2009. Our Unit takes care of the road closures along the parade route as part of our service to the community.

This year we were ably assisted by St Josephs Venturer Unit and as usual, we were part of a larger cast of volunteers who made the event a success.

A selection of images can be seen here, more (as supplied by Mark Foster and Bruce Key) can be found in Mark's Gallery.

Hutt Valley Fire Police were amongst the volunteers giving their time and resources to the Goodwill Express on 28 November 2009. This is a special TranzMetro service, with trains stopping at each station along the lines to Upper Hutt and Paraparaumu, picking up donations for the Salvation Army Foodbank.

Image courtesy Tranzmetro's Website

Once again HVFP were out in strength in support of the Upper Hutt Fireworks Fantastic, Saturday 31 October. This annual event puts on an excellent fireworks display at Trentham Memorial Park each year.

Upper Hutt VFB provided on-site Fire Response. Trentham 481 on scene.

HVFP members were active in their Fire Safety Role at this event in Belmont. Here's some imagery from the day... :

HVFP were amongst the New Zealand Fire Service personnel participating in the Upper Hutt Spring Festival on a sunny Saturday September 5, 2009.

Rimutaka 4928 is ideal for transporting Fire Safety kit.

The Annual General Meeting of the Hutt Valley Fire Police Unit was held on 31 August 2009 at the Stokes Valley RSA. Highlights include:

• Noted for the record that the Unit attended 30 Calls for the year.
  
• John Scott and Wayne Bedford were confirmed as full members of the Unit. John was sworn as a Fire Police Constable by Bruce Key JP; Wayne was an apology and will be sworn at the first suitable opportunity. Congratulations to you both and welcome to the Unit.
  
• Guests included Area Manager (the position formerly known as Chief Fire Officer for career staff) Peter Bean and Regional Manager Ian Pickard, and both briefly addressed the Unit, congratulating it on its efforts in the previous 12 months and offering some insights into coming developments in the Fire District.
  
• Area Manager Peter Bean also presented the Unit Awards as follows:
  
  • Training Attendance Award: FP Key
    
  • Callout Attendance Award: FP Roberts & FP English
    
  • Fire Police Person of the Year: FP Key
    
  • Goof of the Year Award: SSO Ackroyd
    
  
  
• Fire Region Manager Pickard presented FP Vlieg with her 3 Year Certificate, and SO Lock with a Silver Bar for his Long Service Medal, as they were absent from the Unit Honours Night earlier this year.
  

The Unit Awards: Goof of the Year; Fire Police Person of the Year; Attendance Award; Most Calls Award.
(See Below for additional photos.)