Effective firefighting training is central to keeping Pan Pac’s forests and operations safe.

With the hot, dry, windy conditions of El Niño looming large over this summer’s weather, Pan Pac Forests staff and contractors were out with specialised FENZ trainers in the Tangoio Forest (Mill Block) in October refreshing their skills in fire safety, dry firefighting techniques, and operating pumps and hoses. This training takes place every year.

“Fighting fires out in the forest is quite different from fighting a house fire. We ensure our teams and contractors are trained by Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) to keep themselves safe and to use the right tools in a forest fire environment,” says Richard Airey, Forestry Manager.

Although FENZ take charge from the time a 111 call is lodged, it’s all hands to the pump in a fire situation – from logistics to equipment, including Pan Pac’s own fire trucks, to bringing in staff and contractors who double as firefighting volunteers.

One of those volunteers is Conor Moorhead, a Pan Pac forester. He started out in rural firefighting in the Wairarapa and is now a member of the Heretaunga Remote Arduous Fire Team – similar to the Canterbury High Country Fire Team. Conor says he’s found the perfect life balance; he loves forestry, and he can continue to develop his skills in firefighting alongside his job.

While collaboration is key, infrastructure is essential to ensure there’s water when it’s needed. ‘Rubber dams’ are placed strategically across the forest estate where there aren’t any ready sources of water for firefighting. Rainwater-fed, they supplement natural water points like streams or springs. Two more dams are under construction this year, large enough to supply firefighting helicopters.