The primary objectives of this study were to:
- Develop a profile of female volunteers in the
New Zealand Fire Service, and
- Provide direction for strategies which will
aid in the recruitment and retention of women in the
fire service.
The study consisted of both qualitative and quantitative
research, distinguished as follows:
Qualitative research is about understanding. It identifies
the range of issues involved, allows an assessment of
the intensity with which views and attitudes are held,
and gives a feeling for the language used.
Quantitative research is about measurement and is necessary
to establish, with some certainty, the extent to which
views and attitudes expressed in qualitative research
are held throughout the wider population.
The study explores volunteer behaviour in the context
of the reported experiences of volunteers and the challenges
faced by women who join as volunteers. The report profiles
the women volunteers exploring their motivations for
joining, their expectations of the job and the quality
of relationship with the New Zealand Fire Service Commission.
Issues of recruitment and retention are also addressed.
A number of recommendations are made to deal with the
problems identified.
As there was no database of volunteers, the United Fire
Brigades Association, the New Zealand Fire Service and
the National Rural Fire Authority supported UMR Research
in contacting volunteers through volunteer brigades
to participate in the research.