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:
The messages of support from our international brothers and sisters has continued with a personal message from Fire Brigades Union National Secretary Matt Wrack.
IAFF Canadian Trustee and Winnipeg Firefighters Union President Alex Forrest briefed the NZPFU National Committee today on the science and basis for presumptive legislation recognising occupational cancer.
Members will be aware that Canadian firefighter, lawyer and international expert on presumptive legislation, Alex Forrest is currently in the country to talk to politicians, media and firefighters.
The NZPFU has received messages of support from our global alliance of firefighting unions.
Members who were around in the 1990’s will remember Tom Goddard – Chief Judge of the Employment Court.
International expert/lawyer/firefighter and Winnipeg Firefighters Union President Alex Forrest hit the campaign trail running today with an interview with Radio New Zealand.
As the shock sets in and the magnitude of yesterday’s horrific events begin to be comprehended, there will be many needing support and care. There will be many directly and indirectly affected across the country.
FENZ are notifying all stations that they will no longer be in lock down - effective immediately.
Due to the situation in Christchurch, FENZ is making some precautionary changes to emergency response procedures.
#BalanceforBetterYesterday marked the 108th anniversary of International Women’s Day and the Hashtag above is one way we can recognise the women in our lives, whether at home or at work, those who have led by example in spearheading women into what is a great job, with great camaraderie and as we all know and understand, form our 2nd families.
How does a mystery getaway for two sound to you? Leave the kids at home, or dog, and enjoy a well-deserved break.
Today we celebrate the women in our lives – those that nurtured us, support us, our siblings and are amongst our family and friends.
The NZPFU has been strongly advocating for FENZ to shift its PFAS project to the safety and wellbeing of firefighters. PFAS is a group of human-made per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances manufactured and in use in a range of industries including firefighting foams. These include PFOS and PFOA.
All Auckland members covered by the NZPFU CEA will be sent a link to access the Auckland Taskforce Survey later today via their FENZ email address.
Members have been voicing their increasing concerns on the possible encroachment of non-career firefighters into key operational management roles.
We are thrilled to confirm that international expert/firefighter/lawyer and Winnipeg Firefighters Union President Alex Forrest will be here next month to kick off the NZPFU campaign for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer.
FENZ has taken action to address the serious risk of CO exposure on the Nelson fire grounds.