Determined to avoid the terror and devastation he suffered after a major fire in 2017, Kennedy’s Bush farmer Ray Minehan has taken some extreme precautions.
To the surprise and delight of his neighbours, he’s bought his own fire engine, ready to protect farms and families should flames ever again lick over Christchurch's Port Hills.
Together the locals are learning how to run the truck and man the hose – prepared to battle any potential blaze until Fire and Emergency NZ arrives.
"We’re on site, so if it starts here and we’re first here, we’ll get into it, and then they can take over really," Mr Minehan says.
Fire and Emergency NZ is supportive of the farmer's efforts, ready to offer them training to get the most out of their equipment.
"It’s pleasing just to see that we can actually help ourselves," adds Mr Minehan, "better than a hose, that’s for sure".
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