Covid-19 Special Benevolent Fund

BENEVOLENT FUND RESPONSE TO COVID-19 CRISIS

Special Fund Set Up

The UFBA Benevolent Fund Trustees have been working hard over several weeks to put together a workable policy of assistance for members who are facing significant financial hardship due to the impact of the Covid-19 Crisis.

Aside from the Fund’s normal day-to-day assistance to members experiencing financial hardship, we have, in the past, been active and supportive in regional emergencies such as the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes. This is the first time, however, that we have had to face a national crisis.

The Trustees have set aside a specific “Covid-19 Emergency Fund” which will be managed in the normal manner through the UFBA office but will be supported and supervised by individual Trustees on a zone basis. The Trustees, will in turn, be assisted and supported by a strong team of UFBA Past Presidents and Life Honorary Members in each zone.

The Zones and Trustees are –

• Northland                                                            Ray Topia MNZM, JP                           027 231 6502
• Auckland and Region 2                                 Graeme Booth MNZM                        021 764 741
• Region 3                                                               Bryan Styles QSM                                0275 632 271
• Region 4 (plus part of North Otago)         Alan Burgess MNZM                           027 432 9136
• West Coast                                                         Jason Prendergast                           0275 768 111
• Region 5                                                               James Walker                                    027 736 7388

The Trustees have allocated a significant amount of money from our cash reserves to this Fund.  We have also received a very generous and significant amount of money from the Board of Fire and Emergency New Zealand which is greatly appreciated.

We cannot be everything to everyone in this crisis, but our aim is to provide some assistance to members and their families who are in dire need of support.

Our main focus will be to ensure that members and their families have “Food on the Table” and we will be reflecting this policy in our resolutions to claims.

Applications can be accessed in the normal manner - through the UFBA website - and brigades are encouraged to make themselves familiar with the process.  Please make an effort to be aware of your members and their family’s circumstances, and act appropriately when you see any signs of distress and hardship.

It is important to note that the Fund will not accept applications from intended recipients and that all applications need to be endorsed by the OIC where practical, so it is vital that members are looking out for each other.

Our team of respected UFBA Past Presidents and Life Honorary Members will be in contact through your OICs in the near future.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk with them, your Zone Trustee, or of course, contact Jane Davie at the UFBA office (0274 428 655 or jane@ufba.org.nz).

This Fund is available to members of all brigades and rural fire forces, regardless of their membership status with the UFBA.

Alan Cockburn QFSM, JP

Chairman, UFBA Benevolent Fund