The Value of Brokers in Community Resilience and Healing

Shane Fitzsimmons AO AFSM, reminded the audience at the 2024 NIBA Convention of the natural disaster devastation experienced over the last few years and the important role insurance brokers have played in building trust and confidence   

In a heartfelt and poignant address, former RFS commissioner for New South Wales, Shane Fitzsimmons AO AFSM, reminded the audience at the 2024 NIBA Convention of the natural disaster devastation experienced over the last few years and the important role insurance brokers have played in building trust and confidence.   

The trail of destruction through natural disasters started with the 2019/2020 bushfire emergencies that affected NSW, SA, Vic, ACT, and QLD. An unprecedented 160 consecutive days of high-intensity fire operations resulted in the loss of 26 lives, including seven firefighters, and destroyed 2,500 homes.   

When the rain was welcomed in February 2020, people were rejoicing, but then it didn't stop, and the unsettled period of floods and storms began.   

Mr Fitzsimmons quoted a number of sobering statistics: "There were 639 local government natural disaster declarations in NSW, and in four years, every area had declared a natural disaster at least once, more than 70 declared one five times or more, and six or seven declared a natural disaster at least 10 times or more."   

Insurance brokers show leadership and compassion  

In speaking about the role of insurance brokers, Mr Fitzsimmons focused on leadership and helping to heal.   

"I'm often asked what it is that keeps people going and what it is that we do to support people in these times," Mr Fitzsimmons said. "Well, to me, it's leadership, and leadership is not the purview of the people at the top of the organisation; it is about building culture. Leadership is fundamentally about building relationships of trust and confidence. You are all in the business of building relationships.  

"People are seeking you out, they're wanting your advice on guidance, they're putting their trust in you to put in place what they believe, and what you advise is the best for them in anticipation of dealing with these sorts of challenges.    

"Behind every statistic, pile of rubble and clean-up, there is a human," he added.

"When we talk about recovery, we talk about reconstruction, repair, and renewal; we don't always talk about the word healing, and I'm very mindful of the extraordinary work that brokers have done right across the country. Not just in your day-to-day work, but the volunteering ethos that you have, where you pick up the phone, and you're guiding people through challenging times, whether they're customers or not.  

"That's admirable. That's a sign of helping people through these difficult times and helping them through healing. The material elements matter, but the human connection truly matters."  

Watch the session below  

You can watch the full video of the session below.