A new fire chief is taking the reins at the Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Neil Gillespie stepped into the role late last year, a move that will see him lead a team of 35 volunteer fire fighters as they continue to protect the community, while also improving fire safety.

That job is a big one for all fire brigades.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand relies on 11,000 volunteers across New Zealand and attends 75,000 incidents a year, including medical callouts.

The organisation is continually on the lookout for more volunteers.

The role of fire fighter is one Neil Gillespie knows well - the good and the bad.

It could be "challenging, confronting and god-awful", but collaborating with a great group of people made it worthwhile, he said.

It takes a special kind of person to volunteer to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from emergencies.

"We've got a good bunch here in Central Otago and it's all about working together to help people in our community."

Neil, who is also a member of the Cromwell Community Board, began his career in the fire brigade in September 1993.

He was deputy fire officer prior to taking on his new role in November.

"Our previous chief fire officer Steve Shaw did a really good job in getting everything set up, with the previous management structure and succession planning for our team.

"Its a rewarding career and it really is a job in so many ways, even though we are volunteers.

"A lot of different things echo from all of my experiences.

"You'll always remember a big fire, your first fire or your last fire.

"There are horrible fires and horrible car accidents.

"There are situations where you get good outcomes and then there are others where it might be not so good ones.

"But, you're working with a great bunch of people to stop things getting any worse.

"Employers support the fire service by letting our team have time off work to go to training and to the families of firefighters too, thanks are due - they are the ones dealing with callouts at all times of the day and night."

The Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade is made up of 35 volunteers.

It was among the many fire authorities that amalgamated in 2017 to become Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), just one of the many changes Neil has been part of over the years.

The arrival of Covid-19 brought on other changes and challenges.

Due to the pandemic, the Cromwell brigade has 'virtual catch ups' and does not train together like they normally would.

"Usually it's Tuesday night practice, but right now we are keeping numbers down.

"So, we're catching up when we get a call."

Neil's community involvement does not stop with the fire brigade.

He is also Clyde & Districts Emergency Rescue Trust secretary, a member and past president of the Wanaka Rodeo Club and a trustee of the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Neil, who has worked in the electricity industry since he finished school in 1978, works as a community relations and projects manager with Contact Energy at the Clyde Dam.

There are many different ways to volunteer; either as a firefighter, medical first responder, operational support and brigade support.

Applicants need to be at least 18 years old and New Zealand citizens, residents or have a work visa.

Watch a Fire and Emergency video about volunteering here, more information can also be found online.

Cromwell's new chief fire officer Neil Gillespie. PHOTO: Supplied