Update

Advocacy and Support Services are here for you!

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Our Advocacy and Support case numbers are at record highs and as we address each individual case, we are also working hard to constructively review the processes with Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

In the 2020/21 financial year, we worked with 108 cases – as of 31 March 2022 we have had 84 cases and there’s still three months remaining in this financial year.

We’ve seen a steady increase in the number and complexity of cases and the length of time to resolve them. This lines up with the permanent Fire and Emergency Behaviour and Conduct Office (BCO) being established last year, as we are the external agency contracted by Fire and Emergency to provide advocacy and support to all volunteers under sections 36 and 37 of the Fire and Emergency Act 2017.

The UFBA is fortunate to have on staff our Advocacy and Support Advisor, Megan Devine and District Advisor, David Lattimore (pictured below, left to right) – who both hold a wealth of experience in their respective fields and manage the bulk of the workload accordingly, with the assistance and support of our network of volunteer advocates.

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Description automatically generatedDavid Lattimore

There are naturally situations where we will represent multiple sides of a situation, but we can assure you that our scalable Advocacy and Support service ensures each party is assigned confidential and personal representation.  Members and Fire and Emergency volunteers will always receive fair, unbiased and professional support through us – we never say no. This is our guarantee.

The UFBA prides itself on discretion, professionalism, and trust. Going through a complaint, conflict or disputes process is a journey that no volunteer should face on their own! We are here for you.

Call us on 0508 832 269 for a confidential chat or email support@ufba.org.nz

UFBA Website | Individual advocacy and support

Kia kaha, kia Kotahi rā
Our strength is in our unity