Our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by recent weather events. The devastation across so many regions is heart-breaking, and the physical and emotional effort for recovery will last many months, if not years.
The NZ Firefighters Welfare Society was established 35+ years ago with the ethos of “Firefighters helping Firefighters and their families/whanau”. This is what the Society continues to do to this day. We hope you find the following resources helpful at this time.
Society Membership Benefits
As a member of the NZ Firefighters Welfare Society you can access help through our Welfare Support benefits such as:
- Discretionary loans/grants
- Mobility assistance
- Travel for out of town medical appointments
- Gift baskets
- Retail discounts through many companies across New Zealand
- Adoption assistance or a monetary contribution on the birth of your child
- Financial assistance with counselling
- Funeral assistance
- You may also qualify for help through our Disaster Fund
For further details on each benefit, please look at the Welfare Support page.
Help available through our Partners
Partners of the NZ Firefighters Welfare Society offer a range of assistance to their members, including:
- Loans and insurance through NZ Firefighters Credit Union
- Independent advocacy and support for conflict or disputes resolution in your brigade, offered by United Fire Brigades Association
- If you have had an accident while on duty or training, United Fire Brigades Association can help you claim the difference covered by ACC in your lost wages, through their Accident Assurance Scheme
- Financial support for brigade members and their families suffering times of significant financial hardship – see United Fire Brigades Association’s Benevolent Fund
- Visit AON’s Natural Disaster Response page for guidelines on how to make a claim with AON
Additional avenues for assistance
Below is a list of more general support services that may be helpful to you at this time. Everyone reacts differently to trauma. Help and support is available. If you have any concerns about how you or a member in your family is coping, please don’t be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help can be hard which is exactly what makes it a sign of courage.
- Looking after yourself in times of uncertainty: find resources here on navigating feelings of anxiety, depression and stress, mindfulness and managing insomnia
- Resources for children, for yourself, for workplaces or parents and caregivers on a wide range of topics designed to help you manage your wellbeing
- Call or text 1737 free for support from a trained counsellor
- Lifeline offers free confidential emotional and wellbeing support 24/7 and can be reached on 0800 543 354 or text 4357
- Suicide Crisis Helpline is 0508 828 865
- Samaritans offer confidential, non-judgemental and non-religious support. Contact 0800 726 666.
Additional resources and information for business teams or business owners
- Employment before and after disasters: helpful information regarding employment matters throughout a disaster period
- Insurance claims and what repairs you can and cannot undertake on your business premises
- Wellbeing webinars for people in business
- Tips to beat isolation – a story shared by a solo operator in business
- Cyclone and flood recovery grants for businesses in parts of the North Island that have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle or January flooding
- Grants and support for farmers and growers
- A guide from Employment NZ on resolving disputes between employers and employees
