85% of the New Zealand’s frontline firefighters are volunteers who can be found in every NZ Community, whether remote, rural, provincial or metropolitan. At the heart of volunteerism, is a person who willingly gives of their time to serve and protect their community.
While much of the focus this week has understandably been on our forthcoming inaugural Matariki Day, it is also National Volunteer Week. This is the time we recognise the contribution volunteers make to so many aspects of our communities.
Welcome to my President’s diary, as there are lots of exciting updates coming and plenty to share with you, I will be posting more regular entries for the remainder of my term.
The Incorporated Societies Act 2022 came into effect on 6 April 2022 and draft regulations are expected to be published before the end of 2022, these will also be available for public consultation.
UFBA representative required for Fire and Emergency's National Radio Procedure Working Group
We are seeking one representative to be involved in preliminary discussions with FENZ Communications Centre around forming a National Radio Procedure for operational personnel.
Last July, the UFBA Board refreshed its strategic objectives into four key priority areas. This includes the UFBA driving change in the sector that will benefit our members and their communities.
Following the announcement in November 2021, where Fire and Emergency New Zealand advised all operational firefighters will be issued with firefighter illumination capability (FIC - torch).
UFBA Regulation 4.9.2 allows for relatives to wear, on the right side only, on ANZAC and similar days of remembrance, the service medals of deceased military personnel. This applies only to service medals and decorations mounted on a medal bar (full-size or miniature) and not neck badges, s
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.
As I stated in my AGM 2021 speech, in 2019 this Association amended its Constitution, with a comprehensive set of complaints and grievance procedures, including provision for the establishment of a disciplinary committee.
The UFBA has received many calls and emails from members expressing their concerns towards the Health Order applicable to firefighters, the Ministry of Health (MOH) restrictions on Fire and Emergency’s use of MOH issued RAT Kits, and Fire and Emergency’s recognition of privately sourced RAT kits.
We have given much consideration to the Government’s COVID-19 Protection Framework (CPF) Red setting, the modelling for Omicron in our motu/country and the safety of our members.
Happy International Volunteer Day to all the amazing volunteers out there!
The UFBA membership is mostly made up of volunteer firefighters we would like to especially acknowledge the incredible commitment and dedication that each of you give to protecting your communities.
We would like to thank you the members for your patience while we explore our options to address the AGM business matters, such as the Board nominations, in the best way that enables members to have their say.
Earlier this year, our members highlighted to us the need for firefighters to have personal torches for their safety when responding to incidents with low or limited-access to lighting.
We are pleased to announce that Murray Blogg {pictured}, CFO Temuka and long-time UFBA Official has been appointed to the position of Challenge Panel Member.
Due to the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Australasian Police and Emergency Services (AP&ES) Games have been postponed from March 2022 until March 2023.