Building Sustainable Volunteer Fire Brigades Through Modular Brigade Co-design

Author: Scott Lindsay

Supervisors: Henk Roodt James Harrison

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20 March 2025

Lindsay, S. (2025). Building sustainable volunteer fire brigades through modular brigade co-design [Master's thesis, Otago Polytechnic].

Abstract

New Zealand has 559 volunteer fire stations, which form the backbone of the nation’s emergency response system, particularly in rural areas. Volunteer firefighters contribute significantly to community safety, responding to 42% of structure fires, 70% of motor vehicle accidents, 71% of medical emergencies, and 85% of vegetation fires. Beyond their operational role, volunteers enhance community resilience, foster social cohesion, and provide critical services that would be financially unsustainable if staffed solely by paid personnel.

Volunteer fire brigades are essential to New Zealand’s emergency response system, yet they face significant challenges, including declining membership, aging volunteers, and recruitment barriers. This inquiry explores modular co-design as an innovative approach to sustaining volunteer brigades by aligning roles with community needs. Through case studies in Edendale, Waikaka, and Tokanui, this inquiry identifies practical strategies to improve recruitment, retention, and operational efficiency.

Key findings reveal that modular co-design enables brigades to adapt their roles to meet specific community needs. Tokanui introduced medical-only co-responder roles and a 4WD vehicle to address gaps in emergency care for its remote community. Waikaka’s dual urban-rural brigade model demonstrated how tailored approaches strengthen operational capacity. Meanwhile, Edendale’s focus on medical response training improved local emergency outcomes but highlighted the need for infrastructure upgrades to support growth. Leadership emerged as a cornerstone of brigade sustainability. Participants emphasised the importance of mentorship programs, flexible recruitment processes, and modular training tailored to specific roles. These strategies were identified as key enablers for engaging younger generations and addressing systemic barriers.

Recognising neurodiversity as a strength also emerged as a critical factor in fostering innovation and inclusivity within brigades. Neurodiverse individuals bring unique perspectives and problem-solving abilities, enhancing creativity and adaptability in emergency response situations. To support this, Fire and Emergency New Zealand staff established an employee-led network to empower and connect our neurodiverse community. This network provides resources, peer support, and advocacy for neurodiverse individuals while promoting inclusive leadership practices across brigades. By embracing neurodiversity through tailored training opportunities and supportive structures like this, brigades can create environments where all volunteers feel valued and empowered to contribute effectively. This approach strengthens brigade culture and broadens the pool of potential recruits by making volunteering more accessible to diverse groups.

This inquiry recommends transitioning to needs-based equipment allocation, simplifying recruitment processes, and investing in leadership development. Future research should explore scaling these strategies across diverse regions to ensure national applicability. By embracing modular co-design and focusing on adaptability, Fire and Emergency New Zealand can build resilient volunteer brigades capable of meeting evolving challenges while maintaining their vital role in community safety. This inquiry offers a roadmap for innovation in volunteerism and highlights the profound impact of aligning brigade operations with community needs.

Figure 1

Volunteer fire stations and volunteer staff numbers

Keywords

volunteer firefighters, recruitment, retention, leadership, modular co-design

Licence

This thesis is not publicly available.