The tradition of volunteering is alive and well in Central Otago, the Fire Service says.
With adequate numbers in Cromwell and Alexandra, the attitude towards the practice and its support from local communities is in good shape.
New Zealand Fire Service Central North Otago area manager Keith McIntosh, said it was an attitude reflected throughout New Zealand.
''New Zealand as a country is committed to volunteerism ... We [the Fire Service] really support employers. It is the employers that unselfishly give up their employees' time that allows us to have a daytime response in many places.''
New Zealand Fire Service Central Otago volunteer support officer Mark Hutton also said he believed the state of volunteerism in Central Otago was healthy.
Mr McIntosh said while the larger towns of Cromwell and Alexandra were suitably staffed, smaller centres such as Clyde, Roxburgh, and Omakau were in need of more volunteers.
Ranfurly, Naseby, and Millers Flat stations were adequately staffed, Mr Hutton said.
Clyde required five firefighters, Roxburgh three to four, and Omakau four.
Mr Mcintosh said overall, the region did quite well in terms of volunteer numbers.
Brigades in Central Otago had a relatively low turnover rate, and the service was doing a lot of work ''behind the scenes'' to ensure turnover was low.
Recruitment was the biggest issue for the region, Mr McIntosh said. Smaller towns, which probably previously had more employment, now acted as ''dormitory towns'', where people lived while working elsewhere, he said.
This distant-from-jobs lifestyle affected the ability to act as a volunteer in an area.
People should consider volunteering for the Fire Service as it was a worthwhile, rewarding way to contribute to a community, Mr McIntosh said.
