Incident Capability and Payments Alignment (ICPA) Project update
Thank you to the 2300+ volunteers who responded to the recent ICPA project survey on future-state models for how Fire and Emergency delivers its services in complex and long-duration environments.
Last but not least, we have the UFBA Conference recordings for all of Fire and Emergency’s presentations – FENZ Chair Rebecca Keoghan in the opening address, CE Kerry Gregory's interview, ELT Panel “Connection with FENZ Leaders” and the three FENZ presentations “Connection with FENZ”
UFBA Conference keynote speaker recording for Russell Jackson’s presentation “Connect, plan and be the change agent” is now available on our website for you to view and share with your brigade.
The Membership Advisory Panel (MAP) is seeking expressions of interest from members to represent UFBA on the Fire and Emergency Working Safely in and around Water Reference Group.
The UFBA Conference keynote speaker recordings for Shelly Davies’ “Connection through clear communication” and Dr Tom Mulholland’s “Connecting with yourself and the communities you serve” presentations are now available on our website for you to view and share with your brigade!
The Membership Advisory Panel (MAP) is seeking expressions of interest from members to represent UFBA on the Fire and Emergency Public Safety Network Working Group.
UFBA Conference keynote speaker recordings for Scion “Connection with science and technology” and NIWA “Connection through Climate Change” are now available on our website for you to view and share with your brigade.
We're pleased to advise the UFBA Conference keynote speaker recording for Melissa Clark-Reynolds' presentation “Connection through inspiring leadership” is now available on our website for you to view and share the learnings with your brigade.
We are please to announce our keynote speaker, Lance Burdett's presentation - Connecting in a meaningful way in high-stress situations, is now available on our website.
Last Monday, UFBA representatives participated in the Fire and Emergency workshop for the Incident Capability and Payments Alignment project. The UFBA initiated this project with FENZ to bring consistency and fairness for volunteers when they are deployed to long-duration fires.
Yesterday, UFBA CE and Board Chair met with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Jan Tinetti to discuss several matters of importance, including the way in which ACC needs to provide better support for our members, the firefighters.
We are pleased to announce that the UFBA Professional Standards policies have been approved by the Board and endorsed by the Membership Advisory Panel following consultation with the membership and incorporating the feedback.
We have been approached by a number of volunteer brigades seeking further clarity on turnout procedures and their obligations during industrial action by FENZ frontline employees. As you may be aware, the Union has notified FENZ of ongoing stop-work action in the coming weeks.
You may be aware of the further industrial action notice issued yesterday (4 August) by the NZPFU, advising that their members will stop work for one hour between 11am and 12pm on Friday 19th and 26th August.
We’re pleased to be launching our pilot Taitamariki Programme for 9-16-year-olds in August. This pilot has been delayed previously due to restrictions, which now gives us an exciting opportunity to reach out to more brigades who might be interested.
Since its inception, the UFBA A&S service has supported FENZ personnel in more than 365 cases, ranging from simple advice through to complex cases. 65.5% of cases were people seeking advocacy or support, and 34.5% seeking advice from the UFBA.
On behalf of members, UFBA’s Peter Dunne and Bill Butzbach have been successful in getting FENZ to make progress on resolving how volunteer payments for long-duration firefighting in the natural environment, and legacy payments to former voluntary rural fire forces are to be managed.
A strong key message came out of the meeting that UFBA CEO Bill Butzbach and Advocacy Advisor Megan Devine attended at the Hawkes Bay Fire Brigades Sub Association 62nd Annual Conference on 2 July at the Norsewood Fire Station.
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.