The IIA NZ Lunch 'n' Learn Bi-Monthly Luncheon serves as a platform for professionals in the field of risk management, internal auditing, and related disciplines to come together, network, and gain valuable insights and knowledge from industry experts. The purpose of these luncheons is to foster collaboration, share best practices, networking opportunities and promote continuous professional development. This event is offered as a hybrid event. All are welcome.

Topic: "Ensuring Excellence: Operational Audits at Fire and Emergency New Zealand"

Speakers: Ted Fuller, Cullum Peni-Wesche, Operational Assurance - Fire and Emergency New Zealand

We're pleased to invite you to our June IIA NZ Lunch n Learn event, where we will delve into the interesting topic of Ensuring Excellence: Operational Audits at Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fire and Emergency) has a commitment to continuous improvement across our service delivery functions. The Operational Assurance team plays a unique role in enabling this through our auditing, monitoring, and reporting functions.

Topic Overview:

Fire and Emergency's Operational Assurance team is tasked with provides advice to Service Delivery Executive Leadership, to ensure they meet their responsibilities for maintaining operational efficiency and readiness across Fire and Emergency New Zealand's service delivery functions. We are driven by our own Maori whakatauki (proverb) that was gifted to us: Ma te mohio, ka anga whakamua - through knowledge, we improve.

The Operational Assurance team provides this advice through the delivery of its own operational audit programme, which seeks to ensure that our 17 Districts, 637 stations, 1,284 fire appliances and specialist response vehicles, and 14,000+ operational personnel remain ready to respond to incidents events across New Zealand.

During this Lunch 'n' Learn, Ted and Cullum will provide insights on Fire and Emergency's journey when it developed its own operational auditing framework, how the team remains well connected with frontline personnel as part of their BAU, and share lessons on how they can continuously.

This session will provide participants with knowledge and practical guidance when undertaking audits of operational facilities and processes, and insights on strong data collection practices, corrective action monitoring, and fit-for-purpose reporting to senior managers and Audit and Risk Committees.

Ted Fuller Bio:

Ted Fuller is the National Advisor and Audit Programme Lead for Operational Assurance at Fire and Emergency New Zealand. With over 45 years of experience as both a volunteer and career firefighter in the Auckland Region, Ted brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role.

In his current position, Ted leads the audit team, conducting three-year validation audits at the district level to review and enhance systems and processes. These audits are crucial for maintaining operational excellence across the country, from Bluff to Cape Reinga.

Ted has a strong background in training, volunteer support, and area management, and standards moderation with NZQA. He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, and his passion for data has driven the development of successful performance monitoring and reporting systems within the organisation.