Fire drivers national winners

Should an emergency arise, the Blenheim Rural Fire Station is home to two pairs of the best hands behind the wheel of a fire engine.

Blenheim Rural volunteer firefighter Jono Poswillo won New Zealand’s top rookie driver at the UFBA National Drivers Challenge first place, with fellow Blenheim Rural volunteer Ryan Anderson placing second in the competition held at Manfeild circuit, in Feilding.

Jono and Ryan, alongside 95 fellow competitors, were tested on a replication call out drive through a busy city, an assessment day for breaking, slalom driving and reversing exercises and well as a comprehensive theory test on the road code and class two requirements.

Jono says that it is reassuring for himself, crew members and for the general public to take part and was thrilled for the local Fire Brigade who will celebrate the 1-2 finish.

“It’s very worthwhile for us to put the trucks through intensive driving in a controlled environment so we know the limits of them, and it was very close in scoring so the quality behind the wheel of fire engines is really high across the country.

“I was firefighting first, and you work your way up with one opportunity being the driving seat – there’s been plenty of weekends involved in emergency response driving courses including light and heavy four-wheel drive.

“There’s long-lasting relationships are formed as you’ve got all like-minded people together there to enjoy and put their skills to the test. It really was a tough competition and to feature on the podium was a great honour,” he added.