UFBA Regulations 1 July 2011: Notice of Variations relating to Challenges
Review of the Regulations
Introduced over 100 years ago, UFBA Challenges hold as much significance and importance today in the
UFBA calendar as they did then. However, variances to the Regulations are needed to maintain relevance
of Challenges, to reflect modern practice and be fit for purpose for the future.
At the 2015 UFBA Conference and AGM, Challenges Committee Chair Nigel Lilley assured delegates a full
review of the UFBA Regulations relating to Challenges was being undertaken.
The Challenges Committee Chair has consulted on proposed variations to the Regulations with a wide
range of stakeholders including UFBA Past Presidents, the current President and Vice President, the
Technical Panel, the NZFS, the UFBA Events Team, the UFBA Chief Executive Officer and the UFBA Board.
The variations to the UFBA Regulations shown on pages 3-7 of this document along with the commentary
below were endorsed by the UFBA Board, President and Vice President at the UFBA Board meeting on 1
August 2016 and commended to the membership for approval.
Proposed Variations: Commentary
Section 1: Definitions and Interpretations
•
The word ‘National’ removed from Challenges to reflect the UFBA modern practice of managing more
than national events
•
‘Events Manager’ and ‘Events Staff’ added
Section 8: Technical Panel
•
8.2 - additional activities expected of the UFBA Technical Panel outlined
•
Existing 8.3 removed as this is no longer relevant
•
New 8.3 added - the UFBA Chief Executive Officer and Board have received numerous concerns from
members about Technical Panel members competing in UFBA Challenges and the perceived conflict
of interest. The UFBA Board has considered the concerns and added this Regulation. The Board noted
that in the past it has proved to be an issue to maintain a substantive Judicial Committee if Technical
Panel members are also competing in UFBA Challenges.
•
New 8.4 added to reflect modern requirements around Health and Safety legislation.
Section 9.1: Challenges Committee
•
The Board will continue to nominate a suitably qualified person to the Challenges Committee Chair
position. The Board recognises that this person need not necessarily be a Board Director, as it is not a
governance position. This position is nominated on an annual basis by the UFBA Board.
•
Wording ‘National Training Manager’ updated to ‘Director of Training’ to reflect current NZFS ranks
•
Numbers are no longer limited for regional representatives. The UFBA now holds many more
challenges than when these Regulations were adopted.
•
UFBA Events Manager added.
Section 9.2: Challenges Committee Chair
•
Expectations outlined.
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1 September 2016
Section 9.3: Challenges Committee
•
More expectation and accountability placed on the Challenges Committee Chair. This in turn requires
less expectations of the Committee.
Section 9.4: Rules
•
Recognises we now adopt rules of organisations outside the UFBA e.g. ARRO Road Crash Rescue
Challenge Rules.
Section 9.5 and 9.6: Rules
•
Formalises the longstanding loose arrangement that any rule alterations must be in place 6 months
prior.
•
Allows for safety variations only to be made on the day.
Section 9.13: Judicial Committee
•
Past Presidents consulted had no desire to be on a judicial committee. They expressed interest in
building relationships “on the sideline” with competitors and observers rather than a dressing down
in a judicial room.
•
Again, Past Presidents consulted felt they would be unjustly adjudicating in a judicial arena not having
full knowledge of all Association Challenge rules, plus those rules adopted from external agencies.
•
Past Presidents consulted stated they attend in a “Ceremonial Position” as is expected. The judicial
committee is not the place for a ceremony.
Section 9.16: Medals
•
A tidy up of wording.
Section 9.17: Association Trophies
•
The UFBA has never had a written procedure around acceptance of a trophy for a UFBA Challenge.
This regulation identifies and clarifies this.
Notice of Variations
In accordance with rule 15.16 of the UFBA Constitution, the Board has now approved variations to
Regulations 1, 8 and 9 relating to Challenges and is now notifying the membership of this change.
Only the Regulation variations summarised in this document are submitted to the membership.
Rule 15.16 of the UFBA Constitution states:
To amend any of the matters to be prescribed by Rules 15.6 to 15.15 inclusive following such consultation
with Fire Brigade Members as the Board shall consider appropriate. The conditions, rules and protocols
regulating all of the matters referred to in Rules 15.6 to 15.15 shall be those in force at the time of
adoption of these Rules. Any amendment to be made by the Board shall be notified to Fire Brigade
Members in the Association monthly newsletter. Fire Brigade Members shall have a period of one (1)
month from notification to object to the proposed variation. In the event of objection from not fewer than
three Fire Brigade Members, the variations shall not proceed but shall be referred to the next Annual
Conference of the Association for consideration as a remit. If no valid objections are received within one
month of notification, the variation shall become operative at the expiry of that period.
Notice is hereby given to members as of 1 September 2016 in regards to the proposed variations. Any
objections from Fire Brigade Members must be received in writing by 5pm, 30 September 2016 at the
UFBA Office, PO Box 56079, Tawa, Wellington 5249.
UFBA Regulations 1 July 2011: Notice of Variations relating to Challenges
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1.
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
Challenges: means any Challenge event(s) conducted from time to time by the Association
Events Manager: means the person for the time being appointed by the Chief Executive Officer
to that position.
Events Staff: means the person/s for the time being appointed by the Chief Executive Officer to
such positions.
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8.
TECHNICAL PANEL
8.1
The Technical Panel shall have the power to co-opt an additional member(s) for
specific roles as it sees fit after consultation with the Board and Officers of the
Association and shall submit a written resume and photograph of co-optee(s) to all
Fire Brigade Members within one month of co-option.
8.2
The Technical Panel will carry out all activities as required by the Board and as
outlined in the Technical Panel’s Terms of Reference, and:
8.2.1
assist with the management of all Challenges;
8.2.2
recommend the policy and rules governing the Challenges; and
8.2.3
promote Challenges.
8.3
Members of the Technical Panel shall not compete in any Association managed
Challenges where the Technical Panel is responsible for any such rules, conditions
penalties or judicial process.
8.4
The Technical Panel will appoint a suitably qualified Safety Officer at every
Association managed Challenge.
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9.
CHALLENGES COMMITTEE AND CHALLENGES
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
The Committee will comprise:
9.1.1
one nominated representative of the Association Board (Committee Chair);
9.1.2
one representative of the NZFS National Commander;
9.1.3
the NZFS Director of Training;
9.1.4
the UFBA Technical Panel;
9.1.5
as required, nominated regional representatives. These will be representatives
of the Fire Region Managers whose regions will be hosting upcoming
Challenges;
9.1.6
the UFBA Chief Executive Officer, acting in an ex-officio capacity; and
9.1.7
the UFBA Events Manager.
The Challenges Committee Chair will:
9.2.1
approve the policy and the rules governing Challenges;
9.2.2
evaluate and review Challenges including management and events;
9.2.3
identify and ensure provision of the resources required to conduct each
Challenge;
9.2.4
promote Challenges;
9.2.5
ensure a high emphasis is placed upon Safety and Wellbeing at all Association
managed Challenges;
9.2.6
appoint a Safety and Wellbeing advisor to review the Association Challenge
rules and proceedings where appropriate;
9.2.7
develop and maintain international linkages;
9.2.8
develop and maintain NZFS national and regional linkages; and
9.2.9
report to the Association Board.
The Challenges Committee will:
9.3.1
ensure conformity between rules governing UFBA Challenges and NZFS best
practises and training standards; and
9.3.2
assist the Challenges Committee Chair with provision of NZFS resources.
Association Challenge rules, conditions and penalties shall be compiled by the
Technical Panel and shall be made available to Fire Brigades. Where the Association
adopts another organisation’s rules, these rules shall first be reviewed and endorsed
by the Technical Panel.
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9.5
Any alterations to Association Challenge rules, conditions or penalties will be made at
least 6 months prior to the following Association Challenge for that particular
independent Association Challenge. These alterations will be published by the UFBA
Events Staff.
9.6
Notwithstanding clause 9.5, the Safety Officer appointed to any particular challenge
may alter any rule as appropriate for safety reasons in consultation with the lead
Challenge official at that given event. Any such rule alteration shall only apply to that
particular Challenge, and their decision shall be final.
9.7
Programmes of events must comply with the Challenge rules of the Association.
9.8
Clarification in case of doubt over any of the events should be sought from the Chief
Executive Officer.
9.9
The Technical Panel shall be responsible for adjudication on any of the rules of
Challenges pre-release and its decision shall be final.
9.10 Challenge officials shall be Enrolled Members of Fire Brigade Members or shall be
suitably qualified persons recommended by the Technical Panel.
9.11
The UFBA Events Staff shall request nominations of persons who qualify under Rule
9.10 from Fire Brigade Members for the various positions of Challenge officials.
9.12 The Technical Panel shall, in consultation with the UFBA Events Staff appoint the
positions of all Challenge officials. The UFBA Events Staff shall advise officials of
their selection.
9.13 The Judicial Committee at each Association managed Challenge shall comprise:
9.13.1 The Chair of the Challenges Committee or his/her prior nominated
representative; and
9.13.2 The Technical Panel members present at that Challenge.
9.14 The Association Challenge event rules, conditions, specifications and penalties shall
be detailed on the Association’s website: www.ufba.org.nz.
9.15 The Association shall present certificates to the three top teams gaining overall places
in all Association Challenges. Teams gaining points down to sixth place in every event
within the Challenges will receive certificates.
9.16 Championship Medals will be presented to the winners of all Association recognised
National Challenges for which the Board has approved a medal, and if approved, will
incorporate a clasp depicting the Challenge and the year won. Where a recipient wins
more than one Challenge, additional clasps only will be awarded.
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9.17 When a new trophy is suggested or offered to the United Fire Brigades Association of
New Zealand as an award for a challenge, before any costs are incurred or
commitment is made by the donor, a sub-committee must first approve the suitability
and allocation of the suggested award before acceptance.
The sub-committee will comprise of the following members:
9.17.1 The President of the UFBA;
9.17.2 The Vice President of the UFBA;
9.17.3 Chief Executive Officer of the UFBA;
9.17.4 The UFBA Technical Panel; and
9.17.5 The Challenges Committee Chair.
UFBA Events Staff will register any such award in the master list upon acceptance.
9.18 The Association will coordinate all Association managed Challenges to ensure
conformity with the rules of each Challenge, standards of performance, best use of
resources and to determine eligibility for entry into Challenges.
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