Download PDF: Issue 9 - New Zealand Fire Service

Drama at
Death Corner
Kumara Volunteer Fire Brigade and Arthurs Pass Rural
Fire Party turned out to Death Corner on the Otira Gorge
after a truck narrowly missed tumbling over the gorge.
The truck’s trailer unit snapped off and crashed through
the barrier rails with a full load, spilling tonnes of potash
over the steep bank creating fears it could pollute the
Otira River.
None of the fertiliser leached into the river.
All Personnel Survey
2005
New Zealand Fire Service is looking to survey all
personnel in the coming months. We are consulting with
the New Zealand Professional Firefi ghters’ Union and the
United Fire Brigades Association over the content of the
survey and process to administer it. Fire & Rescue
magazine will carry details in future issues on how each
person can have their say about our organisation. Fire &
Rescue will also publish results once available.
Working with ethnic
communities
The EEO steering group is providing copies of the book
to paid stations. This easy to read resource provides an
overview on minority migrant communities from 38
different countries and seven major religions.
Last year the books were provided to fi re safety offi cers.
This year’s distribution refl ects the positive response from
last year’s recipients.
In distributing the book the EEO steering group hopes to
help front line staff overcome any hesitation in engaging
minority groups for fear of cultural faux pas. Books will
be distributed soon.
Snapshots
Advance Leadership
Development takes a
new turn
Participants of the inaugural Advance Leadership
Development programme have now completed their
two year development. A number of participants moved
in to more senior management roles during the
development phase of the programme. In May the group
met for the fi nal time. The chief executive was there to
officially conclude the programme. He spoke of the
impact the programme had on participants and the
organisation.
A second group of participants is part way through their
development phase, with individuals aiming to prepare
for appointment to chief and deputy chief fi re offi cer
roles.
The Advance programme is now preparing for its third
intake. This time round the focus will be on staff
preparing for promotion outside of the rank structure.
This will appeal to non-uniformed staff such as fi nance,
IT, administration, comcens as well as those uniformed
staff in specialist roles such as fi re safety and training who
want to remain technical experts rather than gaining
promotion through the chain of command.
More information will be available shortly. Interested
personnel can talk to their HR consultant or email Karen
Quigan, senior advisor leadership and organisational
development.
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine May/June 2005
Photo courtesy The Christchurch Press
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