HBHS Students Honoured for Bravery by the New Zealand Fire Service

Service to others is one of the cornerstones of HBHS, and yesterday the Middle School had a wonderful opportunity to honour and acknowledge the heroic service actions of two of their own, Max Wirihana-Tawake and Josh Davies, who received a Commendation from the New Zealand Fire Service for rescuing an elderly neighbour on 26 May this year from her smoke-filled home.  On that day, the boys heard a smoke alarm go off in the house next door, and on seeing that the building was rapidly filling with smoke, the boys went in.  They found their neighbour, Mary, in a distressed and disoriented state and they helped her to escape a situation that the Fire Service personnel said because of its severity, would probably have resulted in a fatality.  The boys not only saved a life, but also saved the family and friends of Mary from the grief and anguish they would have had to suffer if Max and Josh had not intervened.  The boys received a certificate that acknowledged their bravery, along with a Fire Service cap courtesy of the ground watch of the day, and a promise of a ride-along at a later date.  All of us at HBHS are incredibly proud of these boys and the way in which they responded so bravely, by considering the safety of another person, in such a dangerous situation.  Because fire can spread so quickly, the New Zealand Fire Service advises any person caught up in such a situation to get out and stay out.  HBHS would like to thank New Zealand Fire Service personnel, Area Commander Mr Roy Breeze and Senior Station Officers Mr Kevin Holmes and Mr Darryl Trim for honouring these brave boys for their extraordinary actions.