After working as an operational firefighter for the past 14 years, the role of fire risk management officer for East Otago holds exciting challenges for Mike Harrison.
Appointed four months ago, Mr Harrison has been grateful for the support and advice of his predecessor, Barry Gibson, who stepped down after 20 years in the role.
''There are so many issues around fire safety and such a large area to cover, that Barry's knowledge and experience has been invaluable,'' he said.
Covering the area from Waikouaiti to Balclutha and the Catlins, and inland through to Hyde and Lawrence, the fire risk management officer role has three main facets - to provide fire safety advice to councils and building owners, to co-ordinate fire safety promotions work, and to investigate the causes of fires where there is serious injury or fatality or the cause cannot be determined by attending firefighters.
Mr Harrison started as a volunteer firefighter in the North Island and volunteered for a year in the United States before joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a crash-rescue firefighter in 2001.
He joined the New Zealand Fire Service in 2005 and was based in Rotorua and then Auckland, before moving to Dunedin in 2008 with his wife Catherine. The couple, who have two children, now live in Palmerston.
Throughout his career, Mr Harrison has been involved in fire-safety promotion, making the move to the fire risk management officer position a good fit.
Years of effort by the Fire Service in the area of fire safety, particularly working with children, had improved Dunedin's fire safety record compared with national rates, Mr Harrison said.
''The children we first worked with are now adults, so there has been a shift in knowledge about fire safety out there in the community.
''Having said that, we have had a run of kitchen fires in the past six months due to unattended cooking,'' he said.
In that period, there were 21 kitchen fires in Dunedin and East Otago, although thankfully none had resulted in injuries or fatality, he said.
There had been 55 structure fires causing damage in the East Otago area in the past six months, mainly occurring in bedrooms, lounges, kitchens, garages and supply/tool rooms in commercial buildings.
''As always, the Fire Service recommends that people install smoke alarms in all bedrooms, living areas and hallways for fire safety,'' Mr Harrison said.
The Fire Service was available to give advice and practical help with installing smoke alarms, he said.
The period around Guy Fawkes, which officially fell on Tuesday, was always ''busier than normal'' for the Fire Service, with many people taking the opportunity to use fireworks for several days.
''With Dunedin being a city full of old buildings, there is always a risk with fireworks.
''People must always be very aware of what they are doing with fireworks and have a plan to prevent fires.''
