Forest and Rural Fire Association of New Zealand

06/05/2022

It's the end of the line for FRFANZ with the final steps underway to officially wind up the Association after we agreed to merge with the UFBA in 2019.

This page will remain open at this stage but we will change the name as well as directing members to the UFBA site.

01/04/2022

"These Boots"

In these boots I've walked alone and I've walked in company. I saw the good and I saw the bad. I've won and I've been defeated. I've been kept awake for hours and I've slept for minutes.

Still I walk in these boots. Why do I walk in these boots?

I've experienced happiness and I've experienced grief. I've excitedly put them on and I've dreaded putting them on. I've loved and I've hated. I've been blessed and I've been cursed.

Still I walk in these boots. Why do I walk in these boots?

There are days when I can't wait to put on these boots and there are days I wish I didn't put them on. There are days that when I walk in the boots they are light and I feel like I am barely touching the ground. There are days when the boots are so heavy that I feel I can't lift them to take a step.

Still I walk in these boots. Why do I walk in these boots?

I've wanted to quit and I've wanted to "show them". I've felt victory and I've felt defeat. I've been in great company and I've been lonely. I've been laughed at and I've been praised.

Still I walk in these boots. Why do I walk in these boots?

I've done things I'm proud of and I've done things I wish I could forget. I've loved and I've lost. I've seen life and I've seen death.

Still I walk in these boots. Why do I walk in these boots?

I've felt helpful and I've felt helpless. I've been on top of the world and I've felt the world was crashing down all around me.

Still I walk in these boots. Why do I walk in these boots?

I've been cold and I've been hot. I have been accepted and I've been rejected. I've been obeyed and I've been disobeyed. I've been challenged and I've won.

Still I walk in these boots. Why do I walk in these boots?

I've met great people and I've lost great people. I've prayed to God and I've cursed God. I've smiled, laughed, been happy, been sad, been angry, been hurt, cried, laughed, isolated myself and at times been so filled with emotion that I didn't know what to do.

Still I walk in these boots. Why do I walk in these boots? After nearly 25 years of walking in these boots, I still don't know why.

Author: Irene Silknetter Fitzkee

Brotherhood of 🔥

27/11/2021

Interesting reading

Research shows climate change has increased the frequency and extent of megafires in Australia, with scientists warning the year following a La Niña is the most treacherous.

22/10/2020

And a reminder for all our rural brigades who might be new to the UFBA (following the merger) - each brigade has one delegate attend to represent and this year's event will be around one hour online, 26 November 6.30pm. More details here https://www.ufba.org.nz/events/list/category/conferences

Any day now every member brigade should see a bumper pack, including the Annual Report, land in your mailbox (this might arrive with secretaries/Chiefs or OICs for some brigades), along with further information about our upcoming AGM.

Here’s a reminder - we still want to see more delegates register for the AGM. The UFBA Board has extended the deadline to 19 November for registrations and we need to reach a massive 30% quorum (that’s 175 brigades online). We’d love to see a delegate from each and every brigade.

While we can’t provide food and coffee this time, we promise it’ll be much more brief and you’ll get your time with the Board.

29/07/2020

Kia ora koutou, Tonight the office team will be staying behind after work with fish and chips, to enjoy our first Kōrero webinar at 7pm featuring  Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, former Commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, a volunteer organisation that covers 95% of the States l...

24/07/2020

Only ONE WEEK to go. Don't forget to register before the event to get the link to join this FREE webinar!

A reminder there's only ONE WEEK to go until Shane Fitzsimmons, former NSW Rural Fire Commissioner, shares his insights on the response to Australia's worst bushfire season in history. Get your registrations in now to get the exclusive link to join, prior to the event. Thursday 30 July @ 7pm. FREE to all. Register here https://forms.gle/o12PheFKS2WvJJqk8

08/07/2020

We're kicking off our new Korero webinar series with a fantastic opportunity to hear from one of the leaders of Australia's response to their worst wildfire season in history.

Former NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons will give an insight into the mammoth efforts undertaken by so many people. This is one presentation you do not want to miss! 7pm, Thursday 30 July.

Free to all brigade members. Link to register can be found here https://www.ufba.org.nz/events/list/category/conferences 👩‍💻👨‍💻👨‍🚒👩‍🚒👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

03/07/2020

We're bringing you some exclusive celebrity and sector leader speakers direct to your home or station, as part of our new UFBA Korero online webinar series (replacing Conference this year).
We can now announce these include:
- Psychologist, TV presenter and author Nigel Latta - 13 August
- Fire and Emergency Executive Leadership Team Panel - 17 September
- TV host and journalist Hilary Barry - 15 October

We're hosting these on Thursday evenings so they don't impact musters and so most people can enjoy after work. Webinars will run through to October culminating in our first ever online AGM on 26 November. We'll post links to register next week on our website and you can register for whichever presentations you wish.

The exclusive webinars will be open to all UFBA members and we encourage you all to make the most of this great new opportunity to learn and gain inspiration from some of the best in their fields. 👩‍💻👨‍💻👨‍🚒👩‍🚒💻