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Firefighting Stories

Kiwi Stories

Firefighting stories

Government scraps low-risk building consents

Government scraps low-risk building consents

Homeowners could save NZD $18 million a year as councils drop consents for sheds, carports and other low-risk work from August.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Wed, 27th May 2020

New virtual reality training tech makes its way to Kiwi firefighters

AR, VR & Metaverse

New virtual reality training tech makes its way to Kiwi firefighters

New Zealand firefighters are set to use groundbreaking VR tech developed in Australia to safely train for hazardous scenarios, replacing outdated methods.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Thu, 31st Oct 2019

Innovative technology keeps Kiwi firefighters safe

Unified Communications

Innovative technology keeps Kiwi firefighters safe

Motorola Solutions and Spark have partnered to provide New Zealand's fire service with new radios for improved communication in fire ground environments.

By Sam Worthington • 2 min read • Wed, 17th Aug 2016

Global Stories

Firefighting stories

Connected drone ecosystems reshape public safety ops

Connected drone ecosystems reshape public safety ops

Fragmented drone systems are slowing emergency decisions as agencies juggle multiple platforms, sensors and command tools in fast-moving incidents.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Wed, 20th May 2026

Balmoral Tanks names Paul Edwards as Managing Director

DataCentre infrastructure

Balmoral Tanks names Paul Edwards as Managing Director

Balmoral Tanks has appointed manufacturing veteran Paul Edwards as Managing Director, succeeding long-serving leader Allan Joyce in May.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Wed, 25th Mar 2026

Christchurch Airport: Fighting fire with VR

AR, VR & Metaverse

Christchurch Airport: Fighting fire with VR

Christchurch Airport becomes the first in New Zealand to use custom VR programmes for firefighter training, enhancing readiness for emergencies.

By Sara Barker • 2 min read • Mon, 6th May 2019

Firefighting, security and compliance - are they separate issues?

Firefighting, security and compliance - are they separate issues?

Sometimes a critical issue like a virus outbreak or a major systems malfunction, sometimes something as urgent as a VSIP.

By David Harley • 7 min read • Thu, 4th Aug 2016

Stories from Other Regions

Firefighting stories

British start-up's drone battery boosts range by 50%

Agricultural Technology

British start-up's drone battery boosts range by 50%

A 45% lighter heavy-lift drone could carry more payload and fly further, helping firefighters, medics and armed forces reach remote sites.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week

B.C. startup drone swarm tech wants to target wildfires faster

B.C. startup drone swarm tech wants to target wildfires faster

From fire-ravaged British Columbia to NATO defence, FireSwarm is betting ultra-heavy drone swarms can transform fires and frontline rescues.

By Jake MacAndrew • 5 min read • Thu, 5th Mar 2026

Rising pressures push one in three DBAs to consider career change

Rising pressures push one in three DBAs to consider career change

One in three database administrators in the UK are considering career changes amid rising work pressures and growing complexity, says new report.

By Melvin Hipolito • 4 min read • Wed, 5th Nov 2025