Help #BreakTheBias this International Women’s Day
Currently only 6% of our career firefighters and only 20% of our volunteers are women.
Today (8 March 2022) is International Women’s Day and a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of all women within our organisation, and everyone who supports them to succeed.The communities we work in are diverse and we know we will be more effective when our workforce reflects those we serve.
This year we’re sharing positive and empowering stories of wāhine from across our organisation with the aim of amplifying their voices, shining a light on their journey and passion for serving communities across Aotearoa.
This video gives you a brief but moving insight into the profiles. From our firefighters on the frontline to all those who support them, all women play an important role at Fire and Emergency.
Captured in collaboration with photographer and director, Kristi Scott, these profiles are powerful, unique and insightful, just like the women they feature.
Just a few of the stories feature on our website to celebrate International Women’s Day. You can check them out here(external link). We’ll be sharing more throughout the year as part of a wider campaign because it’s not just today that matters, but every day.
Get involved
Check out the stories of our wāhine on our website(external link).
You can also get involved in Women in Fire and Emergency (WFENZ). Visit the WFENZ networking page(external link) to find out more or email the team on women@fireandemergency.nz. Women that are already part of Fire and Emergency are invited to join the Facebook group(external link) too.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias. To show support for this mahi, we’ve been asking people to submit photos of themselves striking the #BreakTheBias pose. You can show your support by sharing your own photos striking the pose on social media or sending your photos to communications@fireandemergency.nz to add to these here on the Portal…
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Chief Executive, Rhys Jones |
National Commander and DCE Service Delivery, Kerry Gregory |
DCE Organisational Strategy and Capability Development, Russell Wood |
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Region Manager, Paul Henderson |
Te Hiku RLT |
Te Upoko RLT |
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Te Kei RLT |
Region Manager, Mike Grant |
Senior Communications Advisor Kaupapa Māori, Caitlin Mackay |
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People Services Manager, Laure Chisaka |
Tairāwhiti District |
DCE Finance and Business Operations, Darryl Purdy |
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Waikato District |
Ngā Tai ki te Puku Region COVID lead meeting |
National Manager Kaupapa Māori, Piki Thomas |
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Project Manager Māori Outcomes, Isaia Piho |
Deputy Chief Executive People, Brendan Nally |
Deputy Chief Executive Office of the Chief Executive, Raewyn Bleakley |
Announcing our Women Firefighters Study
Fire and Emergency is progressing mahi on an evidence-based response to improving women’s progression in the organisation.
The first step was to undertake a review of existing literature on women’s career progression experiences in male dominated agencies. Now, a further study on women’s operational progression experiences is in the design phase. A Project Reference Group with representatives from OCE, People and Service Delivery Branches will govern this work.
This research will assist in a number of programmes all focussed on improving outcomes for women in Fire and Emergency.
If you have any questions about the project, or would like to participate, please contact research@fireandemergency.nz.