The Volunteer Engagement Model Project is a joint initiative between Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) seeking to define the relationship between Fire and Emergency and volunteers, so together we can best serve our communities. 

Background

Volunteer agreements were inherited with the formation of Fire and Emergency in 2017. These agreements are inconsistent across the country, and we have not defined the foundation to support a relationship between volunteer brigades and Fire and Emergency. A previous attempt to address this gap was called the Agreements of Service and Model Rules project. The VEM project builds on this work. It is being co-designed between Fire and Emergency and the UFBA, and has been prioritised as a Strategic Implementation Programme (SIP) project for Fire and Emergency.

Purpose

This project aims to modernise volunteer agreements to better reflect the vital role of volunteers to keep our communities safe, while defining relationships and aligning with the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017. It also seeks to provide greater consistency and clarity about volunteer brigades’ connection to Fire and Emergency’s policies and procedures, all while preserving their independence and mana. 

A key consideration for the team is that any proposed changes must meet the needs of all parties and be consulted on. 

Scope of work for the project

The finalised scope for this project includes the following agreements, documents, and processes:

• Agreement(s) of Service or Constitution(s)
• Brigade Rules of Association (Model Rules)
• Brigade Leader (Controller, Chief Fire Officer, Officer in Charge,) and Deputies – Appointment Process and Letter of Appointment
• Volunteer Appointment Process and Letter of Engagement

The scope outlines the intent of this project and the key pieces of work it will focus on. It includes information about how this project relates to other work underway like the Eke Taumata programme.

You can read the scope of work here.

Your feedback and input into this mahi is important to us. During the project you will continue to have ample opportunities to provide feedback, including on the more specific details of the agreements, documents and processes noted above, and how they relate to you and your brigade.

The project team can be reached by emailing volunteerengagementmodel@fireandemergency.nz 

Or contact the UFBA team by emailing connect@ufba.org.nz  

Project updates

The VEM project has now entered its drafting agreements phase. Project updates will be uploaded as the project progresses.

January 2026 - Information Sheet [PDF, 269 KB]

November 2025 - Information Sheet

July 2025 - Information Sheet

April 2025 - Information Sheet

March 2025 - Information Sheet

Additional project resources and documents

Brigade composition document – This resource offers insights into brigade structures across the country, with links to resources on legal classifications and their implications.

Seeking your insights – key themes – This document themes and summarises insights gleaned through the Seeking Your Insights phase of the project.

Defining relationships document – This document lays out guiding principles for drafting the new agreements and succinctly summarises our needs in each relationship from the perspectives of the individual volunteer, the volunteer brigade and Fire and Emergency.

Summary of out-of-scope feedback – During the Seeking Your Insights phase, the project received valuable feedback that we have determined is out of scope for this project. Out-of-scope feedback has been summarised in this document and forwarded on to relevant teams.

Last modified: 18 January 2026