​Strategic Outline 2025-27

 

This document outlines the broad strategic plan for the New Zealand Fire Brigades Institute over the next 24 months. This document will be reviewed annually and updated if required.

 

Statement

The New Zealand Fire Brigades Institute shall continue to increase its member engagement and promotion and will provide its members with a variety of learning opportunities, operating in a financially responsible way to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the Institute. The base level of firefighters attaining an NZFBI qualification shall be increased.

 

The objectives will be met by undertaking a number of core drivers and learning streams which meet different learning styles and can be delivered in a variety of methods. Further learning opportunities will be sought out and developed as they arise.  

 

Online Quiz Program

Building on the existing content, the institute will review and update every quiz in the collection, ensuring the most up to date content and policy with the addition of a minimum of two questions to each quiz to maintain fresh material.

 

There will be an introduction of a scoring system so that users can resit the quiz to get a higher score and it will allow the Station Training Coordinators who use the system to monitor brigade members performance. This will assist brigades to build a portfolio of evidence for each member of their training.

 

These quizzes will be posted on the NZFBI Facebook page weekly to build on the user base and maintain our market presence. There will be QR code sheets available on the Institute website to assist brigades with station marketing material.

 

Field Days

The reintroduction of Field Days has started and the intention is to see at least four Field Days run per year, split between both the North and South Islands. This will require the Institute to seek out opportunities for these days and host brigades.

 

The Institute will continue to develop its airport field day framework so that there is a scalable guide that can be used at any airport, while the airport fire trucks will remain part of the field day, the focus should also be directed to the wider airport campus, industry and supply companies that feed into the airport such as fuel.

 

Exam and Diplomas

The Institute will continue to develop the exam materials, starting with the Associate exams and then moving to the Member exams. Using the new Council members to beta test the exams, an online examination process will allow the delivery of a quality product to our members. In addition it will provide a pathway for the new Council members to achieve their own diplomas.

 

Online webinars 

The introduction of online webinars will allow for technical material to be available to our member base in a conversation type format with questions following the presentation with the author.

 

Using an online presentation platform will allow access for presenters to present, and viewers to view the material utilising a range of available technologies from anywhere in the country or even from overseas. Each presentation will be recorded and added to a library of material for future reference.

 

Initially this would be every second month, as this will require a catalogue of presenters ready to ensure the time slot was filled. There is an opportunity to engage with our members about subjects that are of interest, presenting findings from a trip or study/scholarship topic or subjects such as a trainer presenting about a course and how to prepare as an example.

 

Firefighter health and carcinogen prevention

The Institute will promote firefighter health, safety and wellbeing, including a focus on reducing the risks of carcinogen exposure for firefighters.

 

External partnerships

The Institute will re-establish and continue to build on positive working relationships with partner agencies, industry and stakeholders, including re-signing of MoU’s where appropriate, with the intention to work together to drive innovation, learning and the betterment of the fire and emergency industry.  

 

 

 

President - Andrew Cotter

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Vice President - Philip Hunt

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16/12/2025