The firefighter who recently became the first woman president of the United Fire Brigades Association (UFBA) got her start with the Lake Hāwea brigade.

Amber Hollis was named the UFBA president in November, the first time a woman has held the role in the organisation’s 142-year history

The UFBA provides support and services to 690 brigades within New Zealand, and the president is responsible for presenting honours and service awards, serving on the board and selecting people for Fire and Emergency services (FENZ) working groups.

Amber has come a long way since she got her first taste of firefighting in the Lake Hāwea Volunteer Fire Brigade in 2008. 

“As a volunteer [initially] 14 years ago I never thought I could work for this organisation and go out to work and train other volunteers,” she said. 

“I’ve turned a hobby into a career.”

Amber attended the Hāwea brigade’s 50th anniversary jubilee, which took place at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre in November. 

She told fire chief Brent Arthur that former member Christine Hewson had inspired her and showed her what a woman could achieve within the fire service.

“She said she has achieved what she has because she started somewhere like Hāwea, which gave her opportunities, and having the likes of Christine gave her the courage to achieve great things too,” Brent told the Wānaka App.

“It just shows that it doesn’t matter who you are, if you strive for something you can achieve it.”

As well as being a firefighter, Alexandra-based Amber is currently an air support supervisor and region trainer for FENZ.

Much of what she does - training other volunteer firefighters during weekends and evenings - involves travel across New Zealand. 

“It’s going to be a busy year. I think I’ve got two weekends off until July.”

Amber’s partner, who lives in Havelock North, and her broader whānau, are “super proud” of her and how she’s handling new position.

She acknowledged getting more women to be firefighters is going to take time.

“It’s going to take years to break down… let's just get on with it.” 

During Amber’s year as president she plans to focus on connection and engagement with FENZ, UFBA, provincial teams and firefighters.

PHOTO: Supplied