Update

Volunteer Fairness and Equity Campaign

Issue date:

As part of UFBA’s focus on improving fairness and equity for FENZ volunteers, we have launched the Volunteer Fairness and Equity Campaign

This is aimed at getting Government to change legislation and/or fund better support to FENZ volunteers who become ill, or who are injured as a result of their FENZ duties.  Why?  Because these things don’t just affect employees. 

It’s convenient of the ACC Minister Hon. Carmel Sepuloni, to publicly lump FENZ volunteers into the same camp as all volunteers when she says it would be unfair to offer you ACC cover.  Worse, it speaks to a Minister who does not appreciate the volunteer contribution FENZ volunteers who are a 24x7 workforce that contributes over $650m of value to New Zealand every year.

In this Campaign, we’re targeting:

  • an injury you may receive during an emergency response
  • a chronic workplace illness caused by exposure you may have had to toxic substances, or
  • post-traumatic stress that you or a colleague may experience following an incident.

To influence significant change like this, we do need members to get online to ensure their voice is heard by completing a small survey. It will take approximately 5 minutes.

Members on the UFBA database will shortly be sent a link to the online Campaign survey.  All that’s needed to complete the survey is for members to receive this survey link, have access to a smart-phone or computer, and an internet connection.

The survey is being hosted by an independent survey company (AskYourTeam).  For any surveys run by the UFBA, the UFBA will only be able to access survey results when responses reach a threshold where individuals cannot be identified.  For this Campaign, the lowest level respondents will be captured at is at District level (not Brigade).

If you or a colleague do not receive the survey link, it will be because the UFBA does not have a current email or cell phone number.  Help us to help you by keeping contact details current for this Campaign and others by registering your contact details with the UFBA.  Please email connect@ufba.org.nz with the following:

  • Name
  • Brigade name
  • Mobile number
  • Preferred email address

In providing this information, members give their consent for UFBA to contact them regarding UFBA matters.

Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei

Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain

This whakatauki is about aiming high or for what is truly valuable, but its real message is to be persistent and don't let obstacles stop you from reaching your goal.

Bill Butzbach

CEO

Volunteer Fairness and Equity Campaign