The increasing intensity and frequency of large wildfire events is resulting in increased international cooperation in responding to these. New Zealand plays its part with recent deployments to Australia, Canada and the USA to assist. These deployments provide invaluable experience to those involved in responding to wildfires on a scale not experienced here but which provide valuable learnings for our response to wildfires.

Kevin Ihaka has participated in 14 international wildfire deployments since 2003 and has kindly agreed to present on:

“ Kiwi firefighter deployment in international wildfire campaigns. The experience and learnings for NZ forest and rural fire ”

Kevin has 44 years’ experience in fire management, at an operational and strategic level.

He has held numerous fire management roles with New Zealand Fire Authorities and has served as both a volunteer and career fire officer with the New Zealand Fire Service.

He has been an Operations Manager in a National Incident Management Team and has performed the Operations Section Chief role in Canada, Division Supervisor in USA, and Sector Commander in Australia.

He was previously the Chair of the Forest and Rural Fire Association of NZ and is now the Deputy Chair of the United Fire Brigades Association, the Chair of the Contractors Chapter of Tangata Matatau and a member of the Institute of Forestry.

He is active in the international fire community and hosts firefighter exchanges from USA and Canada.

Kevin is the Managing Director of Forest Protection Services, a private forest contracting company based in Whangarei that specialises in wildfire management.

Date: 12th February 2025

Time: 7:30 pm NZDT

Ticket Costs: $NZD

$20.00 NZIF Members

$20.00 Australian Forestry Members (please quote membership number in 'note to administrator')

$40.00 Non-Members

Free: NZIF Student members only

Ticket Sales close: 3:00pm on the day

Please note:

You can listen live or listen later – everyone who registers will receive a copy of the webinar recording.