This week's Newsmaker is New Zealand Fire Service volunteer support officer Francis Boag who climbed the Sky Tower yesterday wearing 25kg of kit to raise money for Leukemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.
Tell us about yourself:
I currently work for the New Zealand Fire Service as a volunteer support officer. I am one of two VSOs that maintain the operational capability for 13 fire stations in and around Rotorua. I am also a proud volunteer chief fire officer, and work alongside 22 other proud volunteer fire fighters as part of the Ngongotaha Volunteer Fire Brigade. I am a loving husband to my beautiful wife Natalie and proud father to son Regan and daughter Ashleigh. I have experienced many difficult challenges throughout my life like many others, but I have also been fortunate enough to harness those life experiences and developed a confidence that I can now share with others. My passion is to help people and work with communities.
How did you get into your career?
I joined the fire service 19 years ago with the Porirua brigade in Wellington. After 10 years I moved to Rotorua and transferred into the Ngongotaha Volunteer Fire Brigade. In 2012 I began my career as a VSO and have been living the dream ever since.
What do you love about your job?
Being part of a valued organisation. The value comes from the people within it. The day to day camaraderie experienced from both career and volunteer members - those that do the real hard yards, and working with communities and many different types of people. I enjoy working with other emergency service organisations and having the ability to make a difference where possible. As a career VSO I get to help other brigade chiefs run their stations effectively. As a volunteer brigade chief I have the advantage of putting that into practice. Although my success is only achieved as a result of the awesome teams around me. To me effective leading is also about listening and learning from others. I would never pretend to know all the answers, but rather encourage those that do.
What have been your biggest achievements?
Finding the love of my life. Having beautiful children. Becoming a VSO. Inheriting such a supportive whanau in Rotorua. They are always there for me Natalie and the kids, especially when I'm out doing my mahi for the Fire Service, which is often. Becoming the Chief Fire Officer of such an awesome team of people in Ngongotaha.
