FENZ most trusted Public Sector Agency again!

The annual Colmar Brunton Public Sector Reputation Index research has FENZ top of the list for the fifth consecutive year. 

The community’s continued trust and confidence is hugely appreciated.

The accolade of most trusted is shared by all who work or volunteer as part of the FENZ organisation.    There is an intricate web of roles and responsibilities and many layers of operating procedures and systems that enable that effective community response.   Our members are integral to that structure including professional career firefighters, the emergency call centre dispatchers, the fire investigators, the Volunteer Support Officers, and others that hold a range of roles and responsibilities throughout the organisation.  

The fact this year’s poll was taken in late March as the Covid-19 pandemic arrived and the nation faced unprecedented restrictions is particularly significant.   

While the number of Covid-19 cases rose professional career firefighters continued to respond to all fires and emergencies including medical response to known and unknown Covid-19 patients, quarantine facilities and organisations with confirmed clusters.

In doing so many professional career firefighters grabbled with conflicting responsibilities needing to keep their families safe while continuing to protect the community.  For some this meant the sacrifice of returning home after shift to sleep in a tent or the garage to protect their families and those with compromised health conditions.

At a FENZ organisational level professional career firefighters lead the charge swiftly and effectively putting in place station safe procedures.    Under great urgency professional career firefighters were key in developing the necessary frameworks to maintain response to all incidents and emergencies for all imaginable scenarios of the pandemic.  

Our members are not alone in their dedication to the community.  We recognise and appreciate the work of all emergency and health workers and volunteers continuing to respond despite the risks during this pandemic.   We understand the personal sacrifices made and the inherent risks to personal health and safety. 

As a nation we are indebted to you all.

Stay safe.

In unity,
Wattie Watson
National Secretary