Our 3-Step Escape Plan

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Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

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Fire & Emergency New Zealand

New fire station opens in Marlborough

New fire station opens in Marlborough

17 April 2026

Flaxbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade will celebrate the official opening of their new fire station on Sunday.

The new building is on the site of the former Ward Fire Station, which was damaged by the Kaikōura earthquake in November 2016.

Flaxbourne’s Rural Controller Duncan Roberts describes the new station as "fantastic" and says it will enable the brigade to operate more efficiently and safely.

"Just having both the trucks parked side by side instead of one behind the other is a great improvement," he says. "There is vehicle fume management in the appliance bay to get rid of the diesel fumes and storage for our safety equipment, as well as a training room.

"It’s a big move for us."

Flaxbourne’s firefighters are trained and equipped to respond to structure fires and wildfires, medical events, vehicle crashes and natural disasters including storms, floods and earthquakes.

Their new station has been built to Importance Level 4 (IL4) earthquake resilience standard, with additional water storage and generator back-up power, to ensure the brigade’s ability to respond to any natural hazard event.

The Ward Volunteer Fire Brigade amalgamated with the Flaxbourne Rural Brigade in 2022. Until moving into their new station this month, they have been operating from a nearby building owned by the Flaxbourne Settlers Association.

The new station will be officially opened by Fire and Emergency Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler on Sunday 19 April.

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