The Mayfield Fire Brigade is bringing back an old familiar face to their site at this year's Mayfield Show – a 1973 International Acco fire truck.

Once a proud member of the Mayfield Fire Station's fleet, the truck was retired from service around 15 years ago.

Since then, she has spent most of her golden years languishing in a paddock near Wellington before being rescued, restored and obtained by the Ashburton Fire Museum.

Now, though, she has come home.

"Last year, the Ashburton Fire Museum approached me asking if we would like it back because they were running out of room and had so many projects on the go."

The Mayfield Fire Brigade has 19 volunteers, and Rowe said most of them were members when the vintage appliance was a busy brigade truck.

"Over half the crew have worked on her; quite a few still remember it," Rowe said.

The vintage truck will be proudly displayed at the show alongside the brigade's newest addition – a 2020 Isuzu F-Series four-wheel drive truck that has been instrumental in tackling large-scale fires and assisting with weather-related events across the South Island over the last five years.

"It's been to most large-scale events since 2020, including the flooding in Nelson and the Castle Hill and Port Hills Fires.”

The show also provides a great opportunity for the brigade to raise awareness about fire safety.

A kitchen demonstration trailer will be set up to simulate a real-life kitchen fire, showing how quickly fires can start and offering guidance on what to do if the worst occurs.

Visitors to the brigade's site at the show will also have the chance to see a new Mobile Command Unit, a high-tech mobile office equipped with radios, computers, phones, and onboard Wi-Fi, all designed to coordinate operations and relay critical information during emergencies.

Rowe said the site at the show was a good chance for families to explore the command unit and get up close to the fire trucks – something that is always a hit with children.

"Kids can sit in the fire trucks and have a look around the command unit as well."

By Claire Inkson