Ian Walker (firefighter) explained

Ian Walker
Birth Name:Ian Norman Walker
Occupation:Mechanic
Known For:Chief fire officer
Spouse:Gwen Walker

Ian Norman Walker (born)[1] is a New Zealand volunteer firefighter.

Career

Walker became a member of the Kaikōura volunteer fire brigade in 1979. He assumed the role of Chief Fire Officer in 1985, and was granted a Life Membership in 2002.[2] Walker served as the Chief Fire Officer during major floods in the district in 1993, and during the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake.[3] The work of the volunteer fire brigade in supporting the local community was celebrated in July 2016, when Walker and the entire volunteer fire brigade crew of 25 and their partners were acknowledged with a complimentary dinner at a local restaurant, The Pier Hotel.[4]

Walker also runs an automotive business in Kaikōura.[5]

Walker was a member of the Kaikōura District Council between 1986 and 1992.

2016 Kaikōura earthquake

See main article: 2016 Kaikōura earthquake.

In the immediate response to the Kaikōura earthquake of 14 November 2016, Walker took a lead role in co-ordinating between the local community and Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Urban Search and Rescue, the New Zealand Defence Force and other stakeholders.

The fire brigade mobilised immediately following the earthquake and assembled at the Fire Station, despite many volunteers suffering extensive damage to their own properties and businesses in the town. The doors of the Fire Station were damaged, trapping the fire engines inside until the doors could be removed. There was no power in the town and most phone networks were not operating.[6]

One of the many notable actions of the Kaikōura volunteer fire brigade in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake was the rescue of a 100 year old woman from the ruins of the collapsed historic Elms Homestead.[7] Despite the building being on low-lying ground, the threat of tsunami, and on-going after-shocks, the entire brigade worked through the night to free the woman and search for others in the collapsed building. Walker says about this experience:[8]

Honours and awards

In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, Walker was awarded the Queen's Service Medal, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.[9] [10] [11]

Personal life

Walker is married to Gwen.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 5 June 2020. Mechanic wins royal recognition. 19 January 2020. Autofile.
  2. Web site: 1 June 2020. Fire and Emergency honours' recipients congratulated. live. 19 January 2022. Fire and Emergency New Zealand. 9 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210209181524/https://www.fireandemergency.nz/news-and-media/fire-and-emergency-honours-recipients-congratulated-5/.
  3. News: Macdonald. Nikki. 16 November 2016. Kaikoura volunteer fire chief Ian Walker on his broken Corvette and the week from hell. Stuff. live. 19 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20190425094221/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/86547793/kaikoura-volunteer-fire-chief-ian-walker-on-his-broken-corvette-and-the-week-from-hell. 25 April 2019.
  4. News: Ineson. Joel. 25 July 2016. Thanks paid to Kaikoura Volunteer Fire Brigade. Stuff. 19 January 2022.
  5. News: O'Callaghan. Jody. 7 February 2014. 'Short-cut' courier van wiped out by train. Stuff. 19 January 2022.
  6. News: Lewis . Oliver . 14 November 2017 . 'The sea's gone' - Kaikōura fire chief Ian Walker remembers the earthquake . 6 July 2024 . Stuff.
  7. News: Perrottet. Alex. 19 November 2016. Kiwis pull the country together again. RNZ. 19 January 2022. 5 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305015646/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/318431/kiwis-pull-the-country-together-again. live.
  8. News: The miraculous rescue of 100-year-old Margaret Edgar. Stuff. 19 November 2016. Vicki. Anderson. 19 January 2022. 18 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210518222049/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/86599439/the-miraculous-rescue-of-100yearold-margaret-edgar. live.
  9. News: Queen's Birthday Honours: The full list. 1 June 2020. New Zealand Herald. 19 January 2022. live. 15 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220115225005/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/queens-birthday-honours-the-full-list/T3YTCTVZ2XP5LCPZWFMCTRTIJI/.
  10. Web site: 1 June 2020. Queen's Birthday Honours 2020 – Citations for the Queen's Service Medal. live. 19 January 2022. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 20 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220171310/https://dpmc.govt.nz/honours/lists/qb2020-qsm.
  11. News: Bhattarai . Rahul . 4 June 2020 . Firefighter still fighting the good fight after 40 years of service . 6 July 2024 . Stuff.

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