Chief fire officer role ‘a privilege’

Kieran Sparks took over as the chief fire officer for the Kurow Volunteer Fire Brigade earlier...
Kieran Sparks took over as the chief fire officer for the Kurow Volunteer Fire Brigade earlier this month. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIEN
For Kieran Sparks, being the Kurow Volunteer Fire Brigade’s chief fire officer "hasn’t sunk in yet".

Mr Sparks took over the role in the Waitaki Valley township on July 2, after former chief John Sturgeon, who is still with the brigade in an operational support role, stepped down after 43 years with the brigade.

After some encouragement from his fellow brigade members, Mr Sparks applied for the top job and was delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the brigade.

"I think it’s a privilege to become chief and have the support of the brigade behind me and Fenz [Fire and Emergency New Zealand]," Mr Sparks said.

"Because I’ve been working very closely with John for a number of years . . . it’s sort of just been a natural next step."

In 2007, Mr Sparks, then aged 22, received a knock at the door from his neighbour, brigade member John Abelen, who is now the acting chief fire officer in Duntroon. Mr Abelen dragged him to the station and signed him up.

"He turned up on a Monday night [and said] ‘You’re no bloody good watching TV, you’re coming with me’," he said.

It started a 15-year journey for Mr Sparks, who has moved through the ranks, becoming a station officer in 2017.

The brigade also had an influence on his personal life. Mr Sparks met his wife, Ellen, a qualified firefighter and brigade secretary, through the brigade.

After spending 15 years working on a Hakataramea Valley sheep and beef farm, which converted to dairy eight years ago, Mr Sparks joined his wife’s family business, Waitaki Orchards, about 15 months ago.

Being in the brigade gave him something to do outside of work and was a way for him to give back to the community, he said.

"For me it’s the comradeship. Our brigade is like a family so it’s coming down and seeing them every week.

"Definitely the adrenaline rush and it’s something outside of work, especially living and working in the same place."

--  kayla.hodge@odt.co.nz