Volunteering for us
80% of our workforce are volunteers – that’s more than 11,800 people giving their time to support communities across New Zealand. In return, they gain new skills, a sense of purpose, and a team that’s got their back.
Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist
Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.
If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.
A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.
Don't spend time trying to save possessions.
A closed door buys you time.
It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.
People have died by going back into a fire.
Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.
80% of our workforce are volunteers – that’s more than 11,800 people giving their time to support communities across New Zealand. In return, they gain new skills, a sense of purpose, and a team that’s got their back.
In any of our nearly 600 Volunteer Fire Brigades, you’ll find volunteers as diverse as the communities they protect. We’ve got farmers, tradies, teachers, and techies. People who can fix anything, thrill-seekers, skill-seekers, office workers, and community-minded locals - all playing their part to keep their brigade ready to answer the call.
Whatever your role, you’ll be a key member of a tight and dedicated team that fights fires, attends incidents, deals with severe weather events, installs smoke alarms, helps kids sit behind the wheel of your fire engine, and does all the other things that make volunteering a fresh challenge every day.
If you’re a team player willing to pitch in and learn more, you’re the sort we’re looking for!
There are four different roles all essential to supporting our brigades. When you express your interest, you can tell us which roles appeal to you.
There are many reasons why people volunteer. Some join because they want to contribute in their community, others join to be part of a team and to learn new skills.
Volunteering is rewarding, yet it also takes commitment. Research shows that our most satisfied volunteers are the ones that contribute the most.
Once you’ve registered your interest in volunteering with us, we’ll match you to your local brigade. There are six steps to becoming part of a volunteer fire brigade.
If you’re part of a volunteer’s family and whānau, it’s helpful to know a bit more about what they do and how you can support them.
Every working day, hundreds of businesses and organisations across New Zealand support our brigades by allowing their employees to respond to incidents.