Update

We’re celebrating a refreshed ‘Accord’

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National news

We’re celebrating a refreshed ‘Accord’ bringing together the United Fire Brigades’ Association, the NZ Firefighters Welfare Society and the NZ Firefighters Credit Union. The Accord formally acknowledges the mutual goals and opportunities shared by all three.

‘The NZ Firefighters Welfare Society, The Firefighters Credit Union and the UFBA have a common goal and that is to do the best for their members,’ says Bill Swan, Chair of the Welfare Society. ‘The Accord sets the platform for the three organisations to seek the best outcome for individual member’s needs at multiple levels. We are proud to be part of this great initiative that allows us to work more collaboratively with other like-minded organisations.’

The Accord met recently and agreed we could all be a lot more active in supporting each other. We also explored what success for the Accord would look like in five years’ time, and how we can reach more members so everyone knows the great support and services available from each organisation.

Jon Graham, General Manager for the NZ Firefighters Credit Union, says, ‘We are proud to be part of this initiative that confirms emergency services personnel remain at the forefront of all our combined welfare, advocacy and financial support services.’

The Accord established some short and long-term goals including:

  • a central coordinator function to engage all three – the UFBA stepped up to this role
  • running workshops so all staff better understand each organisation’s roles
  • feasibility of a joint online presence

Each organisation shares the ‘firefighters helping firefighters’ mantra. Each is also supported by their own dedicated teams of volunteers working at the heart of the organisations, whether through governance or regional representation.

Bill Butzbach, UFBA CEO says, ‘We value our relationships with our sector partners and have agreed there are real opportunities in building these connections to work more collaboratively.’

Just like the UFBA motto ‘Kia kaha, kia kotahi ra’, ‘Our strength is our unity’, three small organisations working together is better for everyone.

You can find out more about each organisation here:

The Accord group representatives March 2021