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!

... as HVFP members watch carefully.

SSO Ackroyd had obviously done this before, judging from his scores (we later find out he was once a league bowler!!)

SFP Biddle and FP Wilkinson eyeing up their situations...

Senior Fire Police Georgie O'Loughlin (right) passes on the regards of the Wainuiomata Unit to the assembled group.

Fire Police Bob Strong (right) from Paraparaumu speaks on behalf of his Unit, and helps us farewell FP Steve Wilkinson (left) who has resigned from the Unit due to work committments. No doubt we'll come across Steve again, as he remains involved with Upper Hutt Rural Fire Force.

Congratulations to FP Alex Roberts of HVFP who had the top score on the night, and special mention for SFP Steve Biddle and FP Bob Strong for both demonstrating how potentially unsafe it can be to stand behind a bowling Fire Police Constable! (If you want details, you'll need to ask them directly!)

Wishing All Firefighters, Fire Police and Operational Support, Commcen staff, Administrators and Executives a very merry Christmas and a Happy (and quiet!) New Year.

Mark Foster
Webmaster
Hutt Valley Fire Police Unit.