FENZ - Volunteer with Fire and Emergency

Volunteers are an integral and much- valued part of Fire and Emergency NZ.

There are nearly 12,000 of these special, community-minded people across New Zealand, based at around 600 stations nationwide. That represents around 85 percent of all our firefighters, serving most of the country except metropolitan areas.

Volunteer Fire Chief and Community Risk and Reduction Advisor, Leah Hide, says joining her local volunteer brigade was lifechanging and one of the best things she’s ever done.

“I have experienced once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and gained life-long friendships,” says Leah. “Joining a volunteer fire brigade gives you a great sense of pride in helping people and supporting the community.”

Nearly 4,500 businesses across New Zealand are registered as an employer of Fire and Emergency volunteers.

Being a firefighter isn’t the only way to volunteer with Fire and Emergency. There are also volunteers who assist with community fire safety education or who work in other brigade support roles.

There’s a job for everyone – so if you’d like to volunteer, please get in touch through our website: www.fireandemergency.nz/volunteering.

Become a career firefighter

Fire and Emergency career firefighters serve and protect communities in metropolitan areas. There are around 1800 career firefighters at 42 of our 637 fire stations.

Fire and Emergency is made up of people from many different backgrounds, experiences and interests. However, Recruitment manager James Hall says there are certain qualities you need to be a career firefighter.

“You need to be driven, determined, and resilient. We look for good communication and leadership skills – people who function well in teams and individually when required,” James says.

To become a Career Firefighter, you’ll need to complete Fire and Emergency’s recruitment process, which runs at a national level twice a year.

“We’re always looking for people interested in becoming a firefighter and being a firefighter is one of the many career paths within Fire and Emergency. Later in your career you can move into training recruitment, fire engineering, fire investigations and risk reduction work,” says James.

Become a career firefighter and help to build safer and more resilient communities. To find out more, head to our website: www.fireandemergency.nz/work-for-us.