Fighting Fires South Canterbury

Words: Amelia Norman

Images: Supplied

Not much phases Olivia Waldron. At just 25 years old, the bubbly South Cantabrian has already completed a degree, travelled the world, started her career, joined the emergency response team at work, become a group fitness instructor and, most recently, become a qualified firefighter with the St Andrew’s Volunteer Fire Brigade.   

Olivia’s volunteering journey started when she put up her hand to be part of the emergency response team at Silver Fern Farms, where she works full time as a health and safety coordinator. “The team are like first responders for any type of event at Silver Fern Farms. I found I really enjoyed volunteering and learning a whole new set of skills. From there it seemed only natural to be a part of the St Andrew’s fire brigade as the two teams work quite closely. I joined in the hopes of reaching more of the community and learn skills in greater depth.”

Joining in April 2023, Olivia completed her training and became qualified in December. She attends regular training sessions with the 17-strong crew and has attended a handful of call-outs so far including fires, traffic accidents to medical events.

Despite this, Olivia asserts it’s not scary. “The crew are really amazing at supporting you with and managing what you’re being exposed to. Everyone is just doing their job and contributing to the wider picture so you’re not necessarily facing anything confronting. You would never get asked to do anything you wouldn’t be capable of or trained for.”

Chatting with Olivia, you get the impression there’s little that she wouldn’t be capable of. Outside of her fulltime job and volunteer roles, her days are full teaching classes at CBay Fitness in Timaru as well as training and fundraising for the upcoming Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge in Auckland in May.

“Another crew member – Lisa – and I will be climbing the Auckland Sky Tower: over 1000 steps in our full firefighting gear, which weighs around 25kg! The event raises money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. The St Andrew’s brigade has raised a staggering amount of money for this over the years, and Lisa and I have been itching to join in.”

Raising over $2,000 already, the pair have a schedule of fundraising events lined up between now and May.

“That’s one of the things I love the most about volunteering,” says Olivia. “Already I’ve met so many people with inspiring stories and so much wisdom to share. I love every second of being part of such an excellent community with so many incredibly knowledgeable and kind people.”