If a fire starts or a car crashes in a rural area, it's increasingly likely that the first firefighter on the scene will be a woman.

This year's Guy Fawkes festivities bought nearly 2000 call-outs for Police and Fire Service personnel, with Fire Service figures showing it was the worst Guy Fawkes in 10 years.

Less than a week after fireworks went on sale, firefighters have seen a six-fold increase in vegetation fires and a two-fold increase in minor call-outs. <br /><br />From Thursday morning, when fireworks legally went on sale, to Monday night (October 31) there were 34 fires nationwide where reckless use of fireworks has been identified as the cause.

More than half of New Zealanders think fireworks should not be available for sale, a survey has revealed.

More than 500 senior urban and rural fire officers, researchers and experts will be meeting in Auckland for an Australasian conference on 5 to 7 October

The Fire Service Commission filed an application this afternoon for leave from the Court of Appeal to appeal the Employment Court's recent judgment on the Holidays Act.

It's that time of year when people turn on their bathroom's heater, fan and light unit without even giving it a second thought that it might be the potential source of a fire.

The New Zealand Fire Service has a say in new building designs.</p> <p>The new Building Act (2004) means the Fire Service is now involved in the review of fire safety designs lodged for building consent, providing information on firefighting facilities and means of escape requirements, says fire risk management national director Dr Paula Beever.

Fire safety messages should be hammered home to students at every opportunity, and tertiary institutions are being urged to do their bit.