After a long wait the new Ultralight truck has been refitted to hold all our equipment and is now in full service. The Ultralight will be the first responding appliance for the Hutt Valley Fire Police unless canteen only is required then the van 4926 will respond. Whenever possible both vehicles will respond to all calls.

The Hutt Valley Fire Police were asked to assist at the Seaview Fire Station open day on Sunday 7th Nov 2010. Our job for the day was to assist with station security, public enquiries and distribution of promotional leaflets. The open day was a small part of a much wider promotional activity for the entire Seaview business/industrial district. A free bus service was provided to transport public around to various places of business and points of interest.

This is an annual event for members of the unit and takes place at Trentham Memorial Park. This year the event fell on Saturday October 30 and we were tasked with entry control and general security in cooperation other organisations including the New Zealand Police, Maori Wardens, Upper Hutt Rural Fire Force and Cadet Forces. The event went ahead smoothly despite instances of threatening weather.

Recently the Hutt Valley Fire Police have received messages of appreciation from the cancer kids at Wellington Hospital and the residents of Titahi Bay.

The Child Cancer Foundation sent the HVFP a Certificate of Recognition for their support and assistance with the mid winter express family day and the cancer children sent a wonderful Thank You card signed by the children. The HVFP members who assisted on the day thoroughly enjoyed themselves as did the kids. Thank you for your kind words. (see images below)

The residents of Titahi Bay offered their grateful appreciation for our role in fighting the Whitireia Park fire and safeguarding their homes on 21st-22nd Feb 2010. Thank you for the mounted certificate and accommpanying Letter of Appreciation. (see images below)

After years of waiting (and work on the part of our David Ackroyd) we've published a history of the Hutt Valley Fire Police - at least as much data as was able to be pulled together. We're actively looking for folks with memories of the Unit - past members or associated folks - who could help us with amendments, additions, stories, photos or anything else potentially of interest.

On Saturday 16th October 2010 the Hutt Valley Fire Police joined their neighbouring volunteer units, Upper Hutt Volunteer Firefighters and Upper Hutt Rural Firefighters, at a combined honours night where Rural, Fire Service and UFBA awards and medals were presented. The Hutt Valley Fire Police would like to congratulate all those recipients of awards especially our own members notable awards, FP Ingrid Vlieg for 5 Year Medal, FP Marty Waters for Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, and FP Rod Brooks for a bar to Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.

The 2010 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Hutt Valley Fire Police Unit was held on 30 August at the Stokes Valley RSA. There were several new developments worth noting:

• Noted for the record that the Unit attended 35 Calls for the year ended 30 June 2010.
  
• Congratulations were rendered SFP Robinson, SO Lock and LHM Joe Fraser on welcoming new grandchildren into the world recently.
  
• Guests included the Area Manager Peter Bean, Patron & Life Honourary Member (LHM) Mike Aamodt, LHM Joe Fraser and others. Apologies were recieved from Fire Region Manager Ian Pickard, Assistant Area Manager Bernie Rush & SSO Stu Cleland, as well as FP Foster. Area Manager Bean addressed the Unit.

The Unit congratulates Rosanne English who has been recently promoted to the rank of Senior Fire Police (SFP) and also Phil Campbell, who has been promoted to Station Officer (SO). These promotions reflect on their skills and the respect which they have earned from their fellow Unit members, well done to both of you.

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.