Fire and Emergency honours’ recipients congratulated

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Chief Executive Rhys Jones has congratulated six Fire and Emergency personnel who today received their Queen’s Birthday Honours from Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at an investiture ceremony at Government House.

"These honours are strong recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty," Mr Jones said.

"Today’s recipients exemplify the high regard that our firefighters are held in by society. They have all made huge contributions to both Fire and Emergency and the communities they live in."

The Fire and Emergency recipients honoured today were:

Rochelle Martin, awarded MNZM (the NZ Order of Merit) for services to rugby and Fire and Emergency. Rochelle Martin is a former captain of the Black Ferns, three-time Rugby World Cup champion, and member of Women in Fire and Emergency, the National Women’s Advisory Committee and a previous board member of Women in Firefighting Australasia. She is currently Acting National Manager Recruitment and an Assistant Area Manager.

Keith Nixon, awarded MNZM. Keith Nixon has been a career fire-fighter for 43 years, primarily in the Hutt Valley. He helped establish the New Zealand Firefighters Welfare Society in 1987 and has been chairman of the society since 1992.

Russell Anderson, awarded QSM (the Queen’s Service Medal). Russell Anderson joined the Fire Service in Port Chalmers in 1989. He has been Chief Fire Officer in Alexandra since 2003 and has served as both Vice-President and President of the United Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand. In 2016 he was elected to the UFBA board of directors.

Howard Cole, awarded QSM. Howard Cole is a founding member of the Maramarua Volunteer Rural Fire Force and is currently Volunteer Rural Fire Force Controller, having served in the force for 25 years. Under his leadership the brigade has developed particular expertise dealing with motor vehicle accidents on and around State Highway Two in the Northern Waikato.

Maera Maki-Anderson, awarded QSM. Maera Maki-Anderson joined the Murupara Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1988 and has been Chief Fire Officer for 13 years. When she learned that the neighbouring Kaingaroa Volunter Fire Brigade was faced with closure she managed a door-to-door recruitment campaign, organised a series of meetings, set up a "Save the Kaingaroa Fire Brigade" Facebook page and ran extra training sessions in her spare time for recruits unable to attend regular training.

Hatete Joe Manukau, awarded QSM for services to Fire and Emergency and the community. Joe Manukau has been a member of the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1985 and Chief Fire Officer since 2002. He has served as Vice President of the Katikati RSA/Citizen Club, Māori Iiaison and a board member of the Katikati Primary School and Katikati College, and a college rugby coach, manager and referee. He is currently chairperson of the Horahora Marae Trustees Association.

ENDS

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