The Fire Services Act 1949 provided for the establishment of a Fire Service Council representative of the Government, the New Zealand Fire Underwriters' Association, the Municipal Association, Fire Service employer and employee organisations, and the United Fire Brigades Association. There is provision for the Secretary for Internal Affairs to attend meetings of the Council. The first chairman of the Council (nominated by the Minister) was the late R. Girling-Butcher. The duty of the Council generally is to administer the Act and some of the specific duties named in the Act are:

• To ensure that every urban fire authority conforms with the Act and maintains an efficient fire service.

• To coordinate the units of the fire service for purposes of rural fire protection, reinforcement at serious fires, or for war or other emergencies.

• To encourage, supervise, or carry out fire-prevention activities.

• To establish a training school and courses of training.

• To classify fire districts.

• To classify positions in the fire service of permanent officers and provide facilities for inter-brigade promotions.

• To approve appointments of permanent executive officers made by urban fire authorities.

• To approve or determine estimates of expenditure of urban fire authorities.