Following concerns from staff regarding carcinogens, asbestos exposure and lack of control measures at the present time, the need for our members to be decontaminated post incident and the need to maintain a clean cab and personnel hygiene under our Health and Safety Policy, Area 4 has developed an interim guideline to enhance the SOP G7-1 Post Fire Decontamination in consultation with AM Mackereth.
International expert/firefighter/lawyer and Winnipeg Firefighters Union President Alex Forrest made the most of every opportunity while here in NZ to push for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters occupational cancers.
Firefighters drove their engines to Parliament's doors today, wanting laws to acknowledge the high rates of cancer among them... Full story here.
Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin told firefighters on the steps of Parliament today that she has written to ACC Minister Iain Lees-Galloway voicing her support for an amendment to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer and that it needs to be put on the legislative agenda.
Firefighters are pushing for a dozen or more cancers to be recognised as linked to their occupation, so they don't have to battle ACC for compensation. Firefighters and firetrucks are expected on the forecourt of parliament at twelve-thirty today to remind politicans they are still not automatically covered for occupational cancers.
With the incredible assistance of international expert/firefighter/lawyer and Winnipeg Firefighters Union President Alex Forrest we are well on the way to achieving cross-party support for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancers.
The Auckland Local is aware that several individual complaints from members were made directly to the National Council during lasts years dispute with the National Committee.
Back on the campaign trail with Alex Forrest meeting with politicians today in Parliament.
Firefighters should be compensated by ACC for cancers linked to the job, industry experts say.
The NZPFU has two representatives involved in the design groups for Tranche 2 (Wellington Local Secretary Alan Collett) and Tranche 2B (Hamilton Local Secretary) of the new FENZ structure.
International expert/firefighter/lawyer and Winnipeg Firefighters’ Union President Alex Forrest has generously made time for a second trip to push for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer.
The NZPFU supported the 2019 Firefighters Golf Tournament which was a great success with 130 participants participating at the Levin Golf Course last month.
Auckland members are strongly encouraged to participate in the second survey released by the Auckland Taskforce.
National Secretary Wattie Watson and National Vice President Joseph Stanley met with Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin at Parliament today to discuss firefighters’ occupational cancer and mental wellness.
The NZPFU conference being held in Auckland this week recognised longstanding Union Committee Member and stalwart Brent (Dorks) Single today.
On International Firefighters’ Day we remember and recognise all firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their community. It is a day for the global firefighting community to reflect on the devastating outcomes for some firefighters and their families as a result of selflessly putting their lives on the line to protect lives and property. We pay our respects to the firefighters who died in the line of duty – as a result of an accident or injury but also as a result of occupational illness.
The NZPFU was part of a global alliance call for a worldwide ban on the use of any PFAS firefighting foams in Geneva this week.
The NZPFU now has a charter between the National Union, Branches and Locals which establishes a framework for communication and professional behaviour within the Union to promote transparency and fairness in the interaction between all facets of the Union.
Members have been asking how they go about applying for positions in this years Local elections.
Getting back into the swing of things again after spending 2 weeks at NTC for the SSO TAPS course. I have to say, the facilities at NTC are amazing. Was great watching the new Recruits and SO practical exams over the 2 weeks. Great to see the high standards being maintained, not only by the instructors but the candidates also. Having only been on one National Training course since 2003 (ish) at White Island Brisbane, I was reminded of how valuable it is to mix with peers from across the country. Just like any fire station, it’s the crew that makes it. We certainly had an excellent crew from Dunedin through to Auckland. More than a few war stories were shared, plenty of laughs, even some singing and a lot of self-reflection in the mornings, for various reasons! A shout out to the instructors, the external leadership and brain people and the course mentors and of course the ever-valuable support staff that make everything happen. It is also good to know that the Union is very involved in the development and testing of this course.
The Auckland Local Committee wishes to thank the members that attended the meetings at Avondale and Papatoetoe Stations to meet with our National Council members of Wattie Watson, Ian Wright and Joe Stanley.
For the past 18 months the NZPFU has participated in a range of FENZ-facilitated committees and working groups charged with the health, safety and wellbeing of our members . There has been some great work done and some of the proposed outcomes will provide long overdue support needed for our members who are exposed to a cocktail of carcinogens and repeated trauma each and every shift.
The Auckland Local Committee is pleased to announce that the NZPFU National Council of Secretary Wattie Watson, President Ian Wright and Vice-President Joe Stanley will be flying up to Auckland on Monday 29th April to do some Station visits and meet with the Auckland Local Committee.
Initially FENZ did not include the NZPFU on the Organisational Design of Tranche 2 Group on the basis our members would not be directly affected by the outcomes and that we would be invited to be involved in the testing of the draft design and consulted on any resulting proposal..
This week we continued meeting with Members of Parliament seeking support for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer. We met with National, Labour and New Zealand First MPs this week as we continue our education campaign.
The NZPFU welcomes the change of heart from FENZ with FENZ reported to have agreed to provide free blood testing to determine PFAS levels in firefighters.
On behalf of our Comms Centre members the NZPFU has sought to have their classification changed from “communicators” to “Fire and Emergency Dispatcher”.
Last week we continued the campaign for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer with more visits to Members of Parliament.
Recently there has been some confusion around the entitlements when working at stations that are not your usual station.
A second pilot for this course is to be held in June.
Today (1 April 2019) the Domestic Violence - Victim Protections Act 2018 comes into effect providing employees with support at work.
President Ian Wright is at NTC for 2 weeks from 1st April so will be slow in responding. Vice President Joe Stanley and Secretary Wattie Watson are still available and should be the first to call please.
A brand new, secure online forum and private members blog has been developed and has launched today. Members across the country have long been asking for this facility to be made available.
Firefighters are calling upon the Government to compensate their cancer treatments.
Members will no doubt have heard that this past Saturday we had three appliances K0 and one appliance riding short crewed.
Alex Forrest has taken every opportunity to educate firefighters and the media across the country and today, his last day in NZ, was no exception.
Members who are currently covered by the Union’s Compensation Insurance are advised that the recent remarket with the insurers occurred. This happens every 3 years and a number of significant changes have occurred.
Te Atatu MP Alfred Ngaro has put his support behind the campaign for presumptive legislation for occupational cancer.
Today Alex Forrest continued taking the message of the need for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer to members.
Hastings man Brett "Gonzo" How put out fires for more than 30 years. It was all he ever wanted to do.
Alex Forrest’s commitment to achieving presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer is seeing him travel the length of NZ.
Invercargill Labour List MP Dr Liz Craig met with Alex Forrest, NZPFU Southland Branch President Graeme (Norm) Gilroy and National Secretary Wattie Watson today.
Congratulations James Hall who has been elected as Northern Branch Vice President. James has been active on the Auckland Local including acting President last year.
Christchurch Labour MP Poto Williams understandably has much to do in supporting her community at this time.
It may be Sunday but Alex Forrest keeps working for New Zealand’s professional firefighters.
We started to take the campaign for presumptive legislation to recognise occupational cancer on the road. National President Ian Wright joined us for the road trip and first stop was Masterton Fire Station for firefighters to hear about Alex’s experiences and the support firefighters can give to the campaign through sharing NZPFU posts through social media as well as posts from MPs that support the campaign.
As per the attached Ballot Declaration Form, I hereby declare:
Copy of correspondence from Terry Bird, regarding the Auckland Taskforce Survey:
Day three of the campaign trail included Alex Forrest briefing members of the Labour Government.
In between meetings with the National Committee and MPs, Alex used any spare time for station visits to talk to firefighters about the campaign and the preventative measures and programmes. We can never fully protect firefighters but we can minimise the exposures. Bagging and tagging contaminated PPE, showering as soon as possible to remove the spot and toxins, clean hoods and regularly cleaning helmets and helmet skirts are just a few of the measures firefighters take to minimise the impact of the absorption of toxins.
Alex Forrest, NZPFU President Ian Wright and National Secretary met with Minister Iain Lees-Galloway today and ACC advisors. Despite the many challenges for the Government this week, the Minister set aside almost an hour to hear about Alex’s international experience in presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters occupational cancer. This is the second meeting for the NZPFU with the Minister.
This morning Radio NZ reported on the NZPFU’s campaign for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer. The report can be viewed above or heard via the link below: