In the December issue there’s a strong theme – practice makes perfect. We look at several challenges and competitions that have recently been held that not only hone firefighters’ skills, but also provide valuable lessons and a lot of fun. Meanwhile at Headquarters, there’s a changing of the guard, with current Chief Executive/National Commander Mike Hall about to retire, and former Eastern Region Manager Paul Baxter taking over the role.

The November 2011 issue puts the spotlight on Shannon, Levin, and a few of the other small brigades on the lower Manuwatu coast. We look at a new initiative to improve home fire safety in Shannon and Foxton, drawing on the resources of other agencies and organisations in the area. There is also an update on the Volunteer Sustainability Project and we catch up with the Tapanui brigade’s latest news. We also release our latest research report which has examined some of the links between alcohol and house fires.

In the October issue we talk to the Chief Fire Officer of the Taneatua brigade which was first on the scene at an horrific road crash involving a logging truck and a school bus full of children. We show off our latest Rugby World Cup fire safety campaigns, including a wicked deal with Hell Pizza. We spend time in the snow and ice testing new truck technology, head over to Zambia to find out just what a New Zealand volunteer firefighter can achieve when he really puts his mind to something, and of course there’s bits and pieces of news from around the country.

In the September issue of Fire + Rescue we feature the rescue effort at Onehunga following a massive gas explosion in a water main that killed one person and seriously injured other contractors working on the site. We go inside the recent World and Australasian Road Rescue Challenges and also look at the life-saving double whammy that Johnsonville crew celebrated. Other news includes; the pressures on funding, the new Type 2 appliance and an update on our Employer Recognition Programme.

In the August issue we look at the welfare support that has been put in place for firefighters and other personnel in Canterbury in the year since the first major earthquake. There is a feature on the some of the international experience and use of CAFS (compressed air foam systems) in fire fighting. We update personnel on the new operational efficiency and readiness regime and drop in on the Paraparaumu crew who saved a young girl from a house fire. Plus there’s our usual news of initiatives and activities ‘out and about’.

Our feature this month looks at the record number of natural disasters we have attended in the past 12 months – over and above the thousands of incidents related to the Canterbury earthquakes. We turned out to a record number of emergencies as a result of high winds, flooding and a tornado. Meanwhile, Invercargill personnel brought home the fire safety messages, Dunedin had fun with flames and film, and there is news from around the country.

The June issue focuses on a fire in Ashburton which destroyed an historic flour mill. It took the combined resources of many mid Canterbury brigades to bring it under control. We also show off a new character for our Flint and Amber fire safety campaign, celebrate the bravery awards bestowed on personnel recently, and update the progress we are making in adjusting and responding to the ‘new normal’ in Christchurch following the February earthquake.

This month's issue has been delayed by the Christchurch earthquake. It focuses on our response to the emergency, the impact it has had on our organisation and the road to recovery. We also tell some of the stories from a few of the many crews and brigades who pulled out all the stops to carry out rescues and help out their communities.

In this issue we feature our first photographs from the Christchurch 22 February earthquake. National Commander Mike Hall explains the region restructure proposal and we feature the work of the stations and brigades of Wairarapa. There is also a “Fire-side” feature on a fire in a building housing huge mounds of firewood near Levin and a photo essay on the building of our new hazmat/command fleet.

Welcome to the first issue for 2011. In this edition we feature the Pike River Coal Mine disaster; our preparation for the Rugby World Cup, a look at what the future may bring for the Fire Service, and new research that shows just how hard it is to be a rural firefighter. Plus much much more.

Welcome to the 2010 Christmas edition of Fire & Rescue. This month we focus on volunteers to mark International Volunteers Day, we take an insider’s look at the collision between two passenger trains near Wellington, introduce the new Performance Information Centres, take a look back in history, and more...

In the November issue we again focus on the Fire Service response to the Canterbury earthquake. We also feature two volunteer brigades as we celebrate International Day of Volunteers. There are updates on developments with our fleet and coverage of the introduction of a text service for the Deaf.

In this month’s magazine there is full coverage of our response in Canterbury following the 7.1 earthquake on 4 September with photos and stories from several brigades, USAR and reports on the backroom operations. We also look at how to stage an open home following a house fire, lessons from a house burn exercise and take a look at the 2011 firefighter calendars.

This month we feature the new Fire Research and Investigation Unit, news from the National Training Centre, some quick thinking that led to a great rescue, the latest from our Firewise team, and some of our behind-the-scenes support.

In the August issue we look at a recent exercise at Aoraki Mt Cook, showcase initiatives to prevent school arsons, get the inside details of a road-side rescue and provide an update on tools to improve communication.

This month we take a look at the Southdown Freezing Works fire, explain the 'new' approach to home fire safety checks, introduce long-life smoke alarms, and show off the prototype for a new heavy pumping appliance.

In the June issue we take a look at recruitment; report on the Tamahere commemoration, go inside the fire at Waipukurau Hospital, look at a home safety initiative in Mangere and more.

In this issue: a busy summer for the rural fire force, an inside look at two fires, introducing a standardised response to some alarm calls, an operational update on hazmats and operational support crew and other news.

This month’s issue looks at fire investigation training, volunteer recruitment, the new compendium, and introduces a new feature Inside the fire which reports on interesting aspects of specific incidents – this month we take a look at the way rural and urban volunteers dealt to a large fire that threatened parts of Roxburgh in the New year.

New hard hitting advertisements go to air, rolling out the hazmats, great examples of working with community groups to promote fire safety culture, new equipment coming, and more.

This issue covers the strategy for the replacement for the radio network, using a new digital radio technology to replace the old analogue system

In this issue the top stories include a close look at home sprinklers, news from small communities, and the year in review.

This issue covers building up the fleet, Get Firewise online and the re-organisation of rural fire districts.

This issue covers the commission report released on Victoria, safety tips for the elderly and the culture of the Fire Service in Canada.

This issue covers the staff survey, how accelerant detectors beef up the investigation processes and debate around privatisation.

This issues presents an overview of the new Get Firewise redevelopment programme, which will be ready to promote from the beginning of Term three on 20th July. Issue 50 also contains a new set of fire safety messages that are compelling, dramatic and create and immediate emotional response.

This issue reveals the new promotional icons 'Flint and Amber', as well as a range of other pertinent seasonal messages. Issue 49 feature coverage of February's devastating fire at the historic Manor Cafe in Sanson. Extensive attention is also focused on the risk of bushfire using the situation in Australia as a key example.

This issue shows the new organisational structure that the Fire Service is putting in place including a map of New Zealand to show how it all fits together. It also asks the question, how can the fire service encourage building owners to install sprinklers in their businesses?

This issue reviews 2008 with all its highs and lows, there is an obituary of the New Zealand Fire Service's Kaumatua - Dr Hare Puke who passed away in November and final interviews are given by Ian Pickard and Bill Butzbach before they switch roles.

This issue reviews Guy Fawkes 2008 and investigates whether the law change has had a dramatic impact on the number of callouts. The new deal between the Fire Service and the Mad Butcher is looked at and SFF Lex Calder's gold star award was profiled.

This issue goes behind the scenes at the shooting of the new Firewise commercials starring Flint and Amber that will screen soon. There is also a deal in the works with Progressive Foods.

This issue of Fire & Rescue looks at the new fleet that is being built and examines the new appliances. There is also a profile on Andrew Dibble, a member of National Headquarters who made the New Zealand Small Bore indoor rifle team.

Issue 43 of Fire & Rescue has an international flavour to it with an article on the Rural firefighters helping fight the Californian wildfires and a story on the MoU signed with the Canadian government.

Issue 42 looks at the new Fire Service TV commercials fronted by National Commander Mike Hall. It shows statistics indicating New Zealand's rate of avoidable residential fatalities is climbing and also shows you which hair product is the most flammable.

An incident based issue, the powder scares that occurred in Wellington and Whangarei are investigated as well as the effect of ongoing petrol price rises on the Fire Service.

This issue promotes the Fire Services new-look website. It details the reasoning behind the revamp as well as advertising some of the more exciting features.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine covers the Tamahere disaster and specifically the loss of SSO Derek Lovell. It also talks about the rate of arson at schools.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine publicises the Fire Service's new TV commercials as well as raising the problem of how to target fire safety education at the student age group.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine talks about the Kinleith Pulp and Paper Mill fire and the Patea Freezing Works fire.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine has a double page spread on summer fire safety, as well as a look back at the Ballentyne's Fire of 1947.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine discusses Guy Fawkes and its dangers. Also covers the annual Fire Risk Management Conference.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine updates the Fire Service on technology projects and their progress, also has a two-page spread of a dramatic cave rescue.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine leads with a story about the Otago Riots that followed the Undie 500. It also discusses the collective agreements signed with the PFU, the PSA and the Chiefs.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine has a story on the wild winter of 2007, especially the flooding in Northland and the Hawke's Bay.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine takes a look at the computers that will be powering the Fire Service in the event of an emergency.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine looks at how sleep affects your performance. Both at work and behind the wheel of a car. It also details the Fire Service's preparation for the expected lahar from Mount Ruapehu.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine reviews the Northland Floods and the carnage that occurred. As well as this it looks at the radical changes the UFBA underwent at an executive level.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine talks to some of the firefighters who went over to Australia to help with the wildfires that raged in Victoria. There is also a recount from those who helped in the aftermath of riots in Tonga.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine was an issue dedicated to the health of firefighters. There is also an awards section for some of the more humorous anecdotes of 2006.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine investigates the new volunteer campaign to help bolster numbers. There is also a feature on Project K to help youth.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine looks back over the last 20 years to see how far the fire service has come. There is also a policy announcement that the Fire Service is entirely for a ban on public sales of fireworks.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine had an international flavour as tales from China, Canada, Australia, Turkey, the UK and the USA grace the pages.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine helps launch the new fire service advertisements - 'You're Right to React and also profiles the problems with firefighting in Dunedin - especially concerning students.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine is a 'Road Crash Special' and talks about the 'Take Control' programme where firefighters talk to teenagers about driver safety.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine asks 'how young is too young?' when it comes to volunteer firefighters. There is also a double page spread on winter house fires.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine looks at the ideas regions have come up with two months into the home sprinkler campaign.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine is an 'Arson Special' and looks into what goes on in an arsonist's mind, talks to the Ministry of Education about school fire statistics and talks about the Fire Awareness Intervention Programme.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine takes a look back at some of the major fires of the summer of 2005 as well as a large photographic spread of a fire in the UK.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine has a large spread on the new TV commercials about Home Sprinklers. The magazine also deals with the concept of the Fire Service's brand.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine highlights a group of firefighters who broke the world record for a 24 hour ladder climb. Plus a humorous look back at 2005 in the awards section.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine shows off the new SMART Map system for disaster management. The magazine also celebrates Kaikohe and Palmerston North fire brigades for winning the inaugural fire station of the year award.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine shows some of the new Fire Service campaigns for fire safety messages. These include, messages on the back of buses, stickers on meat packs and burnt kitchen implements in kitchen displays.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine detailed the first mobilisation of an entire urban search and rescue task force following national protocols - this was to a Greymouth tornado.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine has an article written by Jim Dance who went to Indonesia as part of the emergency management team following the Tsunami.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine makes staff aware of the new Online Ordering System - or OLO - where firefighters can order firesafety brochures to be sent to their brigade.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine reviews the Staying Alive Expo held at Mystery Creek which had a multitude of fire safety events. Plus an article investigates a study that links alcohol with unsafe fiery practice.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine helps launch the new fire service Hazmat Command Vehicle - to be used in hazardous materials callouts. There is also a report of the incidents from the recent Guy Fawkes.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine includes a series of emails written from some firefighters in the USA who were deployed to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It is also the launch of the Fire Services five values.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine looks at the July 7 bombings in London and the response of the local Fire Service. There is also a piece mourning the loss of 14 firefighters who died in the summer fire season in Spain and France.

This Fire&Rescue Magazine advertises the new under-fives Firewise pack. It also runs a profile piece on Jon Graham who became Wellington Chief Fire Officer.

This Fire & Rescue Magazine reunites two firefighters with a man whom they had helped rescue from severe burns when he climbed a 110,000 volt pylon in 1972.

This Fire & Rescue Magazine is a 'Training Around the Country' special that takes a look at various training programmes around the country as run by firefighters.

This Fire & Rescue Magazine detailed the most severe storms to hit Wellington in 30 years. There is also a spread on the absolute necessity for smoke alarms.

This Fire and Rescue Magazine looks back in time to the 'good old days' and asks how the Fire Service has improved in 25 years. It was also volume one of Fire&Rescue, the New Zealand Fire Service's flagship publication.