Eastern Fire Region geographic boundaries are on the East Coast of the North Island, starting at Lottin Point at the top of the East Cape to Mount Bruce. The inland boundaries are defined by the mountain ranges that divide the central North Island. Eastern Fire Region also includes the Chatham Islands to the southeast of Napier. The population of the region as at the 1996 census was 209,434.
Napier, Hastings and Gisborne have major industrial complexes, and a blossoming rest home and health care industry. The entire region has a large and rapidly increasing forestry industry. Some parts of our communities have poor fire safety records, and we have been striving to improve this. Many initiatives have been put in place over the last few years and the effect is noticeable. The region consists of 36 stations, three of which, Gisborne, Napier and Hastings are composite. Staff numbers are:
- 96 Paid fire officers
- 715 Volunteer fire officers
- 20 management and support
- 829.5 in total.
The Eastern Fire Region headquarters is based in Napier. The region limits are formed following the boundaries of:
- Gisborne District Council
- Wairoa District Council
- Hastings District Council
- Napier City Council
- Central Hawkes Bay District Council
- Tararua District Council
- Chatham Islands County Council
Paid staff are supportive of their volunteer colleagues and so ensure a cost-effective and professional delivery of services to their public. All districts are supported in their fire safety promotions/education and compliance work and operational readiness by a team of:
- fire safety officers
- a promotions and education co-ordinator
- a Maori iwi liaison officer
- volunteer support staff
- full-time and part-time administration support staff .
Fire safety officers, the education officer, and firefighters provide a wide range of services to the community. Advice concerning legal requirements for buildings is exclusively dealt with by the specialist officers but all staff will provide domestic fire safety information