Bunnythorpe Volunteer Fire Brigade

08/09/2026

Hi everyone, The brigade and Family of Brian Wigston would like to pass on that a celebration of life will take place at the Bunnythorpe Volunteer Fire Brigade Station this Thursday from 1pm followed by internment at the Bunnythorpe Cemetery.
Beep is currently at home with Paul and Family, If anyone would like to visit Beep prior you are more than welcome - please make contact with Paul Wigston, or the brigade in the first instance.

All those who knew beep are welcome to attend the service.

Please be aware of many vehicles and movements around the station and through to the cemetery on Thursday afternoon.

04/09/2026

It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the passing of Brian “Beep” Wigston.

It’s hard to put into words just how much Beep meant to our brigade. He wasn’t simply part of our history — he was part of who we are.

Even when Beep’s years of service riding on the truck came to an end, his service to the brigade certainly didn’t. When the siren went, day or night, you could count on Beep being there — opening the station doors, making sure the appliance was ready to go, and having the call details printed and waiting on the officer’s seat before the crew headed out the door.

That was Beep. He was always there.

Whether it was lending a hand, sharing a story, having a laugh, offering some advice, or simply being around the station supporting our people, Beep cared deeply about the brigade and the Bunnythorpe community.

For many of us, Beep was far more than a brigade member. He was part of our brigade family, and his contribution continued long after his time on the truck had finished.

There will be a very big gap around the brigade without you, Beep, but your stories, your character and everything you gave to Bunnythorpe will remain a part of this brigade for generations to come.

Our love and thoughts are with Beep’s family and everyone who knew and loved him.

Rest easy, Beep. We’ll take it from here, mate. 🚒❤️

18/08/2026

🚒🏆 Could Bunnythorpe Volunteer Fire Brigade be your Brigade of the Year? 🏆🚒

Have we helped you out lately?

Whether you’ve had our crew respond to an emergency, seen us supporting a local event, needed some fire safety advice, or simply spotted us out and about in the community — our volunteers are here 24/7, 365 days a year.

As part of International Volunteer Year 2026, the United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) is giving communities across New Zealand the opportunity to recognise their local volunteer fire brigade through the Brigade of the Year awards.

If our brigade has made a difference to you, your family, or someone you know, we’d really appreciate you taking a few minutes to nominate Bunnythorpe Volunteer Fire Brigade. ❤️

📲 How to nominate

Simply scan the QR code on the image or use the link below to tell UFBA why you think our brigade deserves to be recognised.

Nominate Bunnythorpe Volunteer Fire Brigade⁠

🗓️ Nominations close: Sunday, 11 October
🏆 Winners announced: Sunday, 25 October

Every call we attend, every training night, and every community event we support is made possible by our volunteers — and we’re incredibly grateful for the support we receive from the Bunnythorpe community.

Thank you for supporting us, so we can continue supporting you. ❤️🚒

10/08/2026

🎯 Games Night is back! 🎲🏆

Tonight we got together with Palmerston North Operational Support to kick off an old tradition that’s been on pause since 2016!

A great night of friendly competition, plenty of laughs, and of course Bunnythorpe taking home the trophy by a HUGE margin 😉🏆

We’re already looking forward to hosting the team at Bunnythorpe in September for the rematch!

Thanks to the Palmerston North Operational Support crew for a great night — see you in September! 🚒🔥

10/08/2026

🇳🇿🔥 One of Our Own Heading to the USA 🇺🇸

We’re incredibly proud to share that Elliot is heading off to Oregon, USA, to help support wildfire operations.

Elliot is part of a team of firefighters from across New Zealand travelling to the USA for a six-week deployment, putting their skills and experience to work helping communities affected by wildfires.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for Elliot and a great example of the dedication and commitment our volunteers have to helping others — both here at home and overseas.

From all of us at Bunnythorpe Volunteer Fire Brigade, stay safe Elliot and the whole NZ team! 👨‍🚒🇳🇿

We’ll be looking forward to hearing about the experience when you’re back home. 👏

Safe travels and all the best for the six weeks ahead! 🔥💪

09/08/2026

04/08/2026

🚒 Congratulations, Flynn! 👏

A huge congratulations to Flynn on successfully completing his Co-Response Course.

This is an important milestone that has equipped Flynn with additional skills and knowledge to support our community during medical emergencies. The course requires dedication, commitment, and a willingness to continue learning—qualities Flynn has demonstrated every step of the way.

As a co-response firefighter, Flynn will be better prepared to work alongside our emergency service partners, providing timely care and assistance when every second counts.

We’re incredibly proud of your achievement and the commitment you’ve shown to serving our community.

Well done, Flynn—we look forward to seeing you put your new skills into action! 👨‍🚒🚑

25/07/2026

🚨 Ever wondered why our fire siren still goes off? 🚨
Here’s the thing: it’s still one of the most reliable ways to make sure our volunteers know they’re needed right now.

When someone calls 111, every minute matters. We do get alerts through pagers, apps, calls and texts — but tech isn’t perfect. Coverage drops, messages lag, things fail. The siren is the one backup that doesn’t.

And yes, it’s loud. Yes, it might cut into your day or wake you up. We totally understand.

But when that siren breaks through the noise, think about what’s happening in that moment: someone nearby might be facing one of the worst moments of their life, and our firefighters are dropping dinner, stepping away from work, getting out of bed, or pausing family time to respond.

That sound means your community is on the move and helping each other.