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Woodend is a small township 25km north of Christchurch on State Highway One.  It has a population of about 2500 and due to its close proximity to Christchurch most people commute to work.  This creates a problem for the Brigade as there is no work force to draw on, so the Brigade relies heavily on shift workers on week days.
 
The Population is approx 2500 at present but increases to around 15000 people during the Christmas holidays. 

The area is currently one of the fastest growing districts in New Zealand. 
There are plans to develop another 1500 houses in Pegasus Town with an increase of 5000 people

We have one Pump Rescue Tender, one County water tanker, one J20 Jeep 4x4 Rural Appliance and a 4x4 Support Vehicle .  We have 24 Fire Service members- consisting of one CFO, one DCFO, one SSO,three SO's, four SFF's and twelve FF.  We also have two Operational Support Staff.
We respond to over 150 calls per year and within our turnout area we cover
                        - 2 Beach townships
                        - 4 Primary Schools 
                        - 2 Kindergartens
                        - 3 OPH ( Retirement Homes )
                        - 3 Hotel / Restaurants
                        - cover a section of State Highway 1 - 20Kms long
The temperature range here in our area is   
Summer 18 to 35 Centigrade
Winter -8 to 12 Centigrade 
( 0 C = 32 F )
Over the summer the hot dry nor'west winds cause the vegetation to dry off and we get a lot of grass and vegetation fires.  The State Highway also creates a large number of motor vehicle accidents in which our medical and extrication skills are put to good use.  Because of the large number of MVA's we attend, the members have raised money and helped purchase Holmatro Hydraulic Rescue Equipment, a MARS Portable Oxygen unit, Cervical Collars and a large First Aid Kit. All brigade members have been put through a St John Ambulance Service Emergency Responder Level 2 course.    
Our Members are all Volunteers. Although we are Volunteers we like to think of ourselves as professionals that do it for free. Our members are from all walks of life, but share the same common passion, which is to serve our community in the best way we know how to. I can speak for all of our members when I say we love what we do,and we're going to keep on doing it.