Proud Employer of Fire and Emergency Volunteers
As New Zealand’s biggest employer of volunteer firefighters, we’re proud to have our contribution to the communities we live and work in recognised by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ).
The latest edition of its Proud Employers ad campaign stars employees from our Edgecumbe site who are often called upon to drop work to attend emergencies in their local region.
FENZ says it’s important to publicly acknowledge those who support their mahi (work). The Proud Employer mark represents the collaboration between employers, volunteers, and Fire and Emergency.
Fonterra has around 150 employees – men and women – who volunteer for FENZ across the country. Chief Operating Officer Fraser Whineray says being the biggest employer of FENZ volunteers is something to be proud of, “A critical part of our purpose at the Fonterra Co-operative is Good Together, or, tātou tātou. And that includes communities in which we, our people and our farmers, are part of.”
Adrian Massey, Chief Fire Officer at Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade and Fonterra employee, has been with the Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade for around 18 years. “Fonterra selflessly allows us to go to callouts. We would not be able to roll out the door during the day without them."
Of Adrian’s Edgecumbe crew of 22, 10 of them work for Fonterra, so having the support of their employer ensures there’s an effective crew for the township and surrounding areas.
A critical part of our purpose at the Fonterra Co-operative is Good Together, or, tātou tātou. And that includes communities in which we, our people and our farmers, are part of.
Fonterra employees volunteer in over 60 fire stations across the country and in some communities, Fonterra employees make up over 40% of the fire crews.
FENZ says it’s encouraging businesses that employ Fire and Emergency volunteers to display the Proud Employer mark in prominent places like shop and vehicle windows and websites to help make New Zealanders aware of the vital role employers of our volunteers play in keeping our communities safe.
From now on our Co-op will be showing the Proud Employer branding at all 67 of our Farm Source stores across New Zealand. Keep an eye out for it.