Meet the team 2022/2023


President
Colin Thomson
Kamo Fire Brigade

Hi everyone, my name is Colin Thomson or, as my friends like to call me, Whitebait.

I am now your Auckland Provincial Fire Brigades Association (APFBA) President and am honored to serve you in this role.

I’ve been a member of the Kamo Volunteer Brigade for 34 years and am currently the CFO where I’ve been positioned for the past 9 years.

I am married to my lovely wife Janine who is very supportive of me in both these roles.

Outside of the brigade I work for Building and Fire Services along with the sister company Training 4 Safety, a locally run and owned business in Whangarei.

My roles include safety training, alarm testing and certification of fire equipment that keeps me very busy and fit to boot.

I have recently completed my 6th and last Sky Tower challenge.

Outside of work I like to go fishing and watch sport and of course spend quality time with my wife.

I look forward to meeting as many of you this year as I can, when I attend your Gold Star evenings.

Due to some clash of dates, unfortunately I can’t attend all of your functions but will make a concerted effort to meet you all in person whilst I remain president. There will definitely be a representative from the APFBA in attendance so please be reassured the APFBA will always be there to support you.


Vice President
Lesina Walden
Ngongotaha Fire Brigade

My interest for the fire service started when my ex-husband Les Peters was a member of Papatoetoe VFB. Not wanting to be in the same brigade, I decided to join Auckland Fire Police in 1985, where I stayed for 16 years before relocating to Rotorua where I joined Ops Support and stayed with Rotorua Ops for 8 years.

I then transferred to Ngongotaha VFB where I am still a current member and hold the position of Brigade secretary. I am a Peer supporter and Peer Support Pager Monitor for Nga Tai Ki Te Puku (Region 2) and was the first woman president for the Auckland Provincial Gold Star Association. 

I am currently the Senior Vice President Auckland Provincial

I have been married to Peter for 30 years and I have two adult children and 7 grandchildren. My daughter is married to a firefighter in the Ngongotaha VFB. My son supports the community by working with The Lions in the Pukekohe area.

My work history has been mainly in warehousing. 

I have coached Junior and Senior Netball, been a Kea leader, and have been neighborhood watch coordinator for many years. I worked with Victim Support out of Papakura Police Station before moving to Rotorua. I am a keen baker and a great nan.  I raised my granddaughter from the age of 3 for 10 years. She went back to her mum until she was 16 and has come back to live with me. In that space of time, I was heavily involved in GrandParents raising Grandchildren. Every month I host a potluck dinner with my lady friends whom I met when my granddaughter first started school.

I look forward to working with the new executive and supporting all of our brigades. I hope we can generate more interest within the provincial and encourage your involvement.


Junior Vice President
Nathan Bennetto
Putaruru Fire Brigade

Hi, my name is Nathan Bennetto I have been a volunteer firefighter for 27 years spanning over both Tirau and Putaruru fire brigades. I have been Chief fire officer of Putaruru for 8 years. I lead a very diverse and inclusive brigade turning out to over 300 incidents a year.

In my time as an active brigade member, I have assisted on many community days, been out raising funds for gear and projects. I lead a team and ran the Putaruru Fire camp in 2015. I have represented the area on the old ROC committee before it was disbanded. I have attended the AFAC volunteer leaders’ program in 2012 and attended the UFBA leadership course.

Outside of fire brigade I am on the Putaruru primary school board of trustees. I enjoy fishing and spending time with my kids watching them play rugby.

I am standing for junior vice president because I feel I can bring a young modern view with a traditional background that upholds the values but looks to the future.


Executive Officer & Immediate Past President
Milan Lukic
Whitianga Fire Brigade

I’ve been a member of the Whitianga Fire Brigade almost as long as I’ve been in the country and from day 1 I knew this was something I’d be involved with for many years to come.

I work in internet software development and I’ve been the chairman of the local Business Association for the past 3 years.

I’ve been attending Sub-Association, Provincial and the UFBA meetings for about 6 years, encouraged by the leaders at my brigade, and I have a growing interest in seeing brigades become more diverse and inclusive but also being fairly and accurately represented and advocated for through the Associations that support them.

For the past 4 years I’ve been part of the Auckland Provincial Executive, first doing a 1 year term as the Executive Member and then with a little encouragement I stepped up to Junior Vice President.

I believe that the best laid plans are laid to waste if the internal culture is flawed.

I’m stepping up for the role of Executive Officer so that I can help with the continuity of the Provincial and the positive forward momentum it is creating once again and the relationships we’re building between us and our members and also the UFBA and FENZ.


Patron
Ray Topia

I have enjoyed being your Patron for the past 10 years. I am a past President of the UFBA, past President of the APFBA in 1987, past President of the NFBSA and now Patron. Trustee of The UFBA Benevolent Fund for the past 25 years and am due to retire from that but have enjoyed every moment of it.

I started My Fire Brigade venture in the Dargaville Fire Brigade, moved to Hikurangi and became Deputy Chief there then moved to Kamo and became Deputy Chief there. A real whirlwind Volunteer Firefighter Career of 33 years. Would do it all over again.

Am now President of APFBA Gold Star Association, President of our local Lions Club for third term and past President of Kamo Working Mans Club. I volunteer drive for Cancer Society taking patients for their medication treatments and Appointments.

I wonder to myself how I keep up sometimes but really enjoy it all. Everything I have been inolved in I have seen them in their highs and lows but the most enjoyable part of it all is seeing them all come back to strength and grow stronger like our APFBA and that is no small feat these days. Not sure how much longer I can contribute and support but I certaily do not want to become a burden by staying too long. I do have a MNZM and am a JP.


Executive Member
Ricky Hodge
Papakura Fire Brigade

I’ve been at Papakura for 14 years, and my day job is in Market Research. My wife and I have four kids; boys aged seven, five, four, and a four year old girl (twins).

I enjoy studying and have a Bachelor of Science from Waikato University, where I majored in Statistics and Economics, my Post Graduate Diploma at Auckland University was in Business Administration, other stuff along the way but most recently a Platform Certification in Salesforce.

Other hobbies and interests include: Scouts, a little Crossfit, and Amateur Radio.

I’m keen to get involved with the Auckland Provincial to engage with the wider fire family and actively contribute to how awesome it is 🙂


Tech Panel Convenor
Lissa Whiteman
Whitianga Fire Brigade

Hi my name is Lissa Whiteman I am currently a senior firefighter at Whitianga brigade.

My husband and I own an engineering business in whitianga and enjoy all the water sports that Whitianga known for. We have traveled abit and have now made Whitianga our base once again.

I’m very passionate about challenges and brigades getting out side of their stations and meeting other members from all over the country and being part of the challenges. It really makes you a more skilled firefighter and making lifelong friend along the way is an added bonus. I have been part of the Waterways for 14 years- previously a competitor but now taking up more a role of an offical due to injury.

I hope to get more people involved in the challenges – it’s where we make the lifelong connections.

I have gone through the exec team of the Goldfeilds Thames valley sub association. It was great to be part of such a strong sub association and it meant a lot to be able to follow in my Poppas footsteps.

So now I have stepped into the role of the challenge panel conveyor and we the tech panel have just successfully organised and ran the bi- annual waterways event in te Aroha in November 2022. We look forward to taking it up north in 2024 and seeing some new faces on the track.


Tech Panel
Nick McLean
Warkworth Fire Brigade

Hi my name is Nick McLean and I’ve recently been appointed the CFO for the Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade.

I’ve been a member of the Fire Service, now Fire and Emergency for 19 years and have seen and been part of the many changes both on and off the field through this time.

I’ve been competing in Waterways Challenges for the past 14 years and won the National Championships last year in the four man team.

As someone who thoroughly enjoys the Waterways Challenges I would like to see them continue for many years to come.

I thought the best way I could help to achieve this is by giving some of my time back to the Provincial as a Challenge Panel member.


Tech Panel
Sarah Nelson
Ngongotaha Fire Brigade

Kia Ora,

Ko Hikurangi toku Maunga
Ko Waiapu toku awa
Ko Ngati Porou toku iwi
Ko Walford toku Whanau
Ko Karl toku hoa tane
Ko Emily raua ko Katelyn oku tamahine
Ko Matthew raua ko Lewis oku tama
Ko Sarah toku ingoa

Hello,

My name is Sarah and I have been an Early childhood teacher for 13 years. I am so excited to be part of the Auckland Provincial Fire Association on the Tech Panel. As well as having a passion for teaching i also love being a volunteer for the Ngongotaha fire brigade. Supporting and helping our community is important to me.

Northland Firefighter Combat Challenge

If you’re keen to have a warm up run before heading off to the North Islands, or are just interested in having a go to see what its all about, head up to Paihia on Saturday 15 June 2019 for a fun day of friendly competition.

BA will be donned but not started to allow Op Support and Rural firefighters to have a go.

Don’t delay, there are limited spaces so secure your spot by registering today!

Auckland Provincial Fire Brigades Association Conference 2019

Kia ora koutou

Registrations are open for the APFBA Conference 2019!

Please click here to register your attendance.

Auckland Provincial Fire Brigades Association (APFBA) is proudly supported by Fire and Emergency NZ and the United Fire Brigade Association.

Our members are from all walks of life, Volunteers, Career Staff and Rural. Auckland Provincial membership brigades extend up to the Cape Reinga as far down as Turangi.

If your brigade would like to become a member of the APFBA please send the following details:

Name:
Contact Ph:
Brigade Name:

to [email protected] and one of our Executives will contact you regarding your application.

If you have any questions regarding the 2019 conference please contact our Executive Officer, Milan Lukic at [email protected]

Nga Mihi

APFBA Executive Team

Proudly Supported by UFBA, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and our Local Communities

FENZ National Operations Team Need Your Assistance

FENZ National Operations Team are currently reviewing the Firefighting Operations Guides and have asked the UFBA to review the following chapters:

F5-02 GD FFO Emergency vehicle access
F5-06 GD FFO Automatic Sprinkler Systems
F5-07 GD FFO Stairways in buildings
F5-08 GD FFO Lifts
F5-10 GD FFO Evacuation of high rise buildings
F5-04 GD FFO Fire alarm panels
F5-05 GD FFO Building hydrant systems
F5-09 GD FFO Fire control centres

We ask for your assistance in putting together a team of people to help us with this review.

Individuals need to have some expertise or experience in the technical components of these chapters. For example, the Firefighting Operations in Lifts chapter refers to the New Zealand Building Code.

Please forward names and contact details of interested people to Herena via email: [email protected] no later than Friday 3 August.

Win 1 of 5 x $100 Hampers

Hopefully that got your attention!

Our first newsletter since the 118th APFBA Conference is out, and its hot off the press.

Inside are some updates from the conference and also our vision for the year ahead.

Times are changing and it sure is exciting!

Please share this with your brigade members. Print it off and leave a copy laying around for your member to peruse, and share it to your facebook pages too.

Click here to read the latest update.

Have Your Say Roadshow

With so many changes happening including the formal merger with FRFANZ,  the UFBA are heading to a station near you to get your input. They would love to see as many of their members as possible.

Come along, have a say, They’ll bring the sausage rolls!

All meetings run 7-9pm

Upcoming Dates and Venues

Thursday 21st June, 2018
Matamata Volunteer Fire Brigade, 9 Peria Road, Matamata

Friday 22nd June, 2018
Turangi Volunteer Fire Brigade, 16 Ohuanga Road, Turangi

Wednesday 27th June, 2018
Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade, 70 Oxford Street, Richmond

Thursday 28th June, 2018
Renwick Volunteer Fire Brigade, Uxbridge Street, Renwick

Monday 2nd July, 2018
Cheviot Volunteer Fire Brigade, 6 McQueen Road, Cheviot

Tuesday 3rd July, 2018
Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade, 332 Burnett St, Ashburton

Wednesday 11th July, 2018
Hokitika Volunteer Fire Station, 200 Stafford Street, Hokitika

Thursday 12th July, 2018
Darfield Volunteer Fire Station, 29 North Terrace, Darfield

 

APFBA Annual Conference and Registration

HI All,

Apparently some people are having difficulty opening the link to the Registration form that I sent out earlier. My sincerest apologies for this anomaly and I have attached a Word doc. registration form as an alternative.

Some have tried the original link on home or work computers and have been able to complete the online rego form but if the word doc. is easier please register using that.

With the word doc, you will have to click into “edit” mode, fill in on your computer, save and email back to the addresses below. registration form apfba 2018.doc

Please email to both addresses,

[email protected]

and

[email protected]

This gives both Warwick and Brian a copy of the registration form as Warwick is in charge of accommodation and Brian is collating the delegates etc.

Please encourage any Fire Force and Rural Brigades in your areas to come along to this years AGM and also bring an observer along from your brigade as it is one way to let more people see what the Association does and may encourage more participation in various areas that may interest them.

The Executive would also like you to look within your brigades and put forward a nomination for the various positions that are available to be filled this year. it is a rewarding experience and the future looks interesting as we take on more in the advocacy and disputes resolution areas as well as helping with the integration of Rural and Urban Brigades.

We would also like you to think about hosting next years APFBA AGM. It is easier when you know whats what and who’s who in your area and by using a motor bay it keeps the costs down for the association.

Look forward to seeing you all in Auckland!

 

Grahame Howell,

President,

APFBA,

021 253 7227

Annual Meeting of UFBA Board and Provincial Association Executives

Hi Team,

From the Paihia conference the APFBA noted down 17 action points and 12 innovated ideas that were received from the floor.

President Grahame Howell and Senior Vice President Herena Paurini attended the Annual Meeting of UFBA Board and Provincial Association Executives in Wellington on 16th & 17th of July. We had the pleasure of meeting with Bill Butzbach – newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Rick Braddock – Chairman, Glen Williams – Deputy Chairman, Judith Standley – Director, Russell Anderson – Director, Alan Kittely – President, Joe Manihera – Vice President, Hayley Bilton – PA to Bill Butzbach and members of 6 other Provincials.

Confidently we raised 45% of the action points and innovated ideas received from our members, this was due to time restrictions and having consideration for 6 other Provincials who also arrived to engage in the many conversations that took place. Our members can have equal confidence, the UFBA executive team have ask APFBA to continue the conversation with them to discuss the remaining 55% outstanding matters, which we will be doing.

APFBA will put together a power point presentation and discuss with the Presidents of the Northland, Auckland and Goldfields Sub Association to have this delivered at their next AGM.

Oh behalf of the 7 Provincials throughout NZ, Auckland Provincial will be front footing the overall Provincial plan at this years UFBA Conference in Auckland. Our presenters will be President Grahame Howell and Senior Vice President Herena Paurini.

A big thank you to Hayley Bilton for successfully coordinating the mammoth job of getting 7 provincials to the meeting.