NEW ZEALAND FIREFIGHTERS WELFARE SOCIETY

Office Closed - Wellington Anniversary Weekend 25/01/2

The NZ Firefighters Welfare Society Office will be closed from 15:00 Hours 22nd January 2021 and will re-open 09:00 Hours Tuesday 26th January 2021.
If you need any support over this time please contact your local Representative, their details can be found on our website -
https://www.firefighters.org.nz/regional-reps.html

Announcing a Newly Elected Chair for NZFFWS

Because the current Chair, Keith Nixon, is retiring at the end of May, the NZFF Welfare Society has advertised for his replacement. Bill Swan put up his hand for the job. Because there were no other nominations, as returning officer, I can declare Bill as the new Chair for the NZFF Welfare Society. The term is for four years.

Darrel Surman
Secretary

Bill Swan

Hi everyone,
My name is Bill Swan, and I am proud to have accepted the role of Chairperson for the NZ Firefighters Welfare Society.

So who am I?
I am married to Kirsty and have 2 adult children from a previous marriage and 2 stepchildren who live in the Hutt Valley. After leaving college in Levin, I completed an electrical apprenticeship and stayed in the trade for almost a decade.

I started my association with FENZ or in those days The New Zealand Fire Service in 1978 . I joined the Waitarere Beach (just out of Levin) Volunteer Fire Brigade, not knowing what adventures were ahead. A few years later I moved to Levin and transferred to the Levin Brigade. At the time there were paid station keepers to support the volunteers. This sowed the seed for me to strive to become a career Firefighter. While in this brigade I became interested in the physics of what firefighting was about, consequently
I sat many NZ Fire Brigade Institute exams. In 1987 the opportunity arose for me to Join the Palmerston North Brigade as a career Firefighter. I remained there for almost a decade before transferring to the Wellington Brigade. The last 4 years of my service was spent in “Central Comms”. I finished with the Service in 2011. All up I have done a total of 26 years of service with FENZ.

I now run a successful franchise business in the lower North Island, called Cartridge World. This is operated out of multiple locations employing a great team of staff.

So why have I accepted the Chairperson’s role?
My time as a Firefighter will always be a big part of my life. It has allowed me to make many good friends and acquaintances. People will often say to me do I miss it all? Well, other that the adventures it took me on, mostly I can say it is the people I miss. Our business is at a stage where it can allow me some spare time. Accepting this role just makes sense and gives me the opportunity to give back to all of you on the front line, ensuring your welfare is paramount.

Thanks for reading this (I tried to keep it brief) and I look forward to serving you all and making the NZ Firefighters Welfare Society all that it is now and all it can be in the future.

Talk soon

Bill
Chair Elect