Latest updates

Browse news and updates
ICPA Project Update
Update
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.

FENZ
Update

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”

Update

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.

https://www.ufba.org.nz/conference2022recordings
Working safely in water
Update

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.

Update

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!

PSN
Update

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.

Update

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.

Melissa Clark-Reynolds
Update

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.

Click the link below:

Keynote speaker Lance Burdett presenting at UFBA Conference/Hui
Update

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.

Click the below link to view:

UFBA Conference (Hui) 2022 Keynote Presentations | UFBA

 

Wildfire
Update

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.

Update

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.

Prof Stds
Update

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.

These policies are:

Turnout procedures
Update

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.

Information for UFBA members following NZPFU Industrial Action notice
Update

Kia ora members


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.

Women's Firefighter Development
Update

The UFBA is seeking a representative to join the Fire and Emergency Women Firefighters’ Development Research Project Reference Group

Levin VFB
Update

The volunteer firefighters of Levin and Horowhenua brigades do an incredible job serving and protecting their communities.

Taitamariki
Update

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.

What is the Taitamariki programme?

AS support
Update

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.

flame
Update

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.

AGM
Update

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.

COVID
Update
BREAKING NEWS - Health Order to be removed for firefighters

Yesterday, the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order (No 5) 2022 was published.

Blur vehicles
Update

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.

Peter Dunne
Update
DUNNE SPEAKS

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.

National Volunteer Week
Update

Happy National Volunteer Week

Here is a message of appreciation to all volunteer firefighters from your UFBA Board Chair

Update

The UFBA values and respects all our members. This includes paid firefighters and their right to act on matters of employment. 

The UFBA has purposefully adopted a neutral stance on current NZPFU industrial matters.

UFBA President’s Diary
Update

Kia ora fellow members

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.

Prof Stds
Update

Thank you to members who participated in the consultation process to review the proposed UFBA Professional standards.

Firefighter
Update

The UFBA is about affecting positive change in support of its members. 

Our recent membership survey showed that 98% of respondents agreed that more needs to be done when it comes to supporting the health of volunteers.

Law changes for incorporated societies
Update

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.

BAU for Volunteer firefighters
Update

We appreciate that UFBA members will be reading media reports which are highlighting the potential for strike action for paid firefighters.