Key Takeaways:
- The New Year’s Eve celebrations in New Zealand were generally well-behaved, with 12 arrests and some liquor ban infringements.
- St John ambulance service responded to 177 incidents between 10pm and 3am, which is about 40% down on previous years.
- The ambulance service reported some instances of staff being abused at callouts, including a significant incident in Auckland.
- The fire service attended several structure fires and a serious-injury crash in Te Puke, which resulted in one person with serious injuries and two others with moderate injuries.
- Emergency crews received assistance from locals in putting out a building fire on a semi-rural residential property in Waiotahe.
Introduction to New Year’s Eve Celebrations
The New Year’s Eve celebrations in New Zealand were marked by a generally positive atmosphere, with a well-behaved crowd and a relatively low number of incidents. According to a spokesperson, the crowd was well-managed, with only 12 arrests and some liquor ban infringements reported. However, despite the overall positive tone, there were some instances of abuse directed towards emergency services staff, which is a concerning trend. Deputy chief executive of St John ambulance operations, Dan Ohs, reported that the ambulance service responded to 177 incidents between 10pm and 3am, which is about 40% down on previous years.
Emergency Services Response
The emergency services were busy across the Western Bay of Plenty and Auckland areas, with the ambulance service responding to a range of incidents. Unfortunately, the staff faced some challenges, including abuse at callouts. Ohs reported that there was one significant incident in Auckland where staff were quite significantly abused. The fire service also attended several structure fires and a serious-injury crash in Te Puke, which resulted in one person with serious injuries and two others with moderate injuries. Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern shift manager Josh Pennefather said that firefighters from Te Puke attended a two-vehicle crash on Te Puke Quarry Rd, near Jellicoe St, and worked to free the sole occupant of a car who was trapped inside the vehicle.
Fire Service Callouts
The fire service was busy attending to several structure fires in the Bay of Plenty on New Year’s Eve. Pennefather reported that about 8pm, two fire crews from pōtiki and one from hope attended a building fire on a semi-rural residential property on Ohiwa Harbour Rd, Waiotahe, west of pōtiki. The fire was well-involved, and the building was destroyed. However, the firefighters received valuable assistance from about 20 locals who used garden hoses to help put out the fire. One person suffered minor burns and received first aid from two nurses at the scene. The fire service also attended to another building fire at a property on Tomalin Rd in Putaruru, which involved a small electrical fire involving a switch on a powerboard.
Community Involvement
The response to the building fire on Ohiwa Harbour Rd highlights the importance of community involvement in emergency situations. The locals who assisted the firefighters with garden hoses played a crucial role in helping to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading. This incident demonstrates the value of community spirit and the importance of people coming together to help each other in times of need. The fact that two nurses were also on hand to provide first aid to the person who suffered minor burns further emphasizes the importance of community involvement in emergency response situations.
Conclusion and Reflection
In conclusion, the New Year’s Eve celebrations in New Zealand were generally well-behaved, with a low number of incidents reported. However, the abuse directed towards emergency services staff is a concerning trend that needs to be addressed. The emergency services, including the ambulance and fire services, played a crucial role in responding to incidents and keeping people safe. The community involvement in the response to the building fire on Ohiwa Harbour Rd highlights the importance of people coming together to help each other in times of need. As the country looks to the future, it is essential to build on the positive aspects of the New Year’s Eve celebrations and work to address the challenges that arose. By doing so, we can create a safer and more supportive community for everyone.