Our people are what make our organisation work so well and they have years of real life operational experience to back up their excellent training skills - meet the team!

Simon Osborne - Captain & Managing Director

Simon is our Captain and the Managing Director of Fire & Rescue New Zealand. Simon began his Fire, Rescue and Emergency Response career in Australia between 1979 - 1992 where he was involved as a volunteer with the State Emergency Service, Bush Fire Service, and an Able Seaman (marine engineer, watch keeper, Ships Firefighter, helicopter crash firefighter, tanky and small boats coxswain) in the Royal Australian Navy on HMAS Townsville (Patrol Boat), HMAS Stalwart (Destroyer Tender/Flagship), HMAS Cairns (Patrol Boat Maintenance), Fleet Intermediate Maintenance Activity (FIMA) Garden Island, HMAS Cerberus (Transport) and fulltime TAFE Teacher with Richmond College of Technical and Further Education.

Simon has 32 years operational combatant experience in fire fighting (rural, urban, marine, aviation) and emergency management in New Zealand and Australia, including two years as the Deputy and Principal Rural Fire Officer and Civil Defence Officer with the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, and 2 years as a Civil Defence Officer (training) with the Manukau City Council.

Simon served the Tararua, Rangitikei and Manawatu District Council Rural Fire Authorities for 10 years as a volunteer Rural Fire Officer, and 9 years as a volunteer Senior Fire Fighter with the New Zealand Fire Service and 14 years as the Captain of Fire & Rescue New Zealand.

He now manages Fire & Rescue New Zealand and has established strong working networks with volunteer Rural Fire Forces, Councils as Rural Fire Authorities, public and private sector enterprises and non-profit organisations. His principal involvement has been in the preparation of modern fire control methods and emergency management systems for rural firefigthers and workplace emergency response personnel. 

In addition to managing the day to day continuous improvement of services provided by Fire & Rescue New Zealand, Simon is heavily involved in the design and manufacture of a wide range of free standing collapsible HELiFIRE Helicopter Monsoon Buckets, and professional fireworks displays as a Pyrotechnician and Approved Handler Pyrotechnics.

Greg Summers - Senior Station Officer & Advanced Paramedic

Greg is employed as our lead clinical trainer/assessor. Greg is a highly experienced Advanced Paramedic who has a wealth of knowledge in risk management and its practical application in the workplace.

Greg has been employed in the fire and pre-hospital emergency care industry since 1974, initially as a fulltime Senior Firefighter with the New Zealand Fire Service and Paramedic withWellington Free and the Order of St. John Ambulance services.

Greg brings to the organisation a vast array of experience in teaching doctors and defence personnel additional skills in caring for the critically injured outside of the familiar hospital environment.

Greg is the Senior clinical advisor to management on current accepted practice within the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care and Advanced Cardiac Life Support field (Level 6 NZRC).

Ali Constable - Station Officer

Ali is employed as our Regional trainer/assessor in the Northern Region. She has over 7 years experience as a Senior Fire Fighter with the Kaukapakapa Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade. She brings to the organisation a vast array of experience gained from her co-responder role with the Brigade and Ambulance Officer with St John’s.  

Ali is also an active serving Senior Fire Fighter with the Auckland City Council Rural Fire Authority and Ambulance Officer within her local community whereby she responds to incidents and provides a valuable community service