Today every member should have received an email from either wellington@nzpfu.org.nz or Auckland@nzpfu.org.nz to confirm the correct email address for the Northern, Central and Southern Branch President, Vice-President and Secretary elections.
Today, May 4 is International Firefighters' Day and a time for us all to express our appreciation for the sacrifices firefighters make by putting their health and safety at risk to protect the community.
Some trainers have received a Performance and Development Guide and a Performance and Development Conversation template.
Nominations are called for the positions of President, Vice-President and Secretary for the Northern Branch.
On 1 May we celebrate as part of an international workers’ movement the better working conditions we have gained as well as reflect on the struggles of the past and present.
Nominations are called for the positions of President, Vice-President and Secretary for each of the Northern, Central and Southern Branches.
Today we remember all workers who have died through workplace accidents and illnesses, and we vow to keep pushing for safer workplaces and better compensation for those left behind.
English and Maori translation of the most well-known excerpt of Laurence Binyon’s “For the Fallen” poem.
Do not disclose any underlying medical condition without first seeking advice from NZPFU.
Today the NZPFU held a Special Conference by telephone conference due to the unprecedented restrictions of the Government imposed Covid-19 lockdown.
The cancelling of traditional ANZAC Day services are another sacrifice the services and community have to make this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic national lock-down.
As per the attached Ballot Declaration Form, I hereby declare:
This evening FENZ National Commander has issued a statement stating that the gowns distributed for medical response conform with standards for medical response under pandemic conditions.
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the tragic death of respected Invercargill Senior Firefighter Ben McLean.
As a Local Committee, we have been asked by the National Executive, to remind staff that we should, whenever possible, maintain a Business As Usual approach.
Following investigation by the NZPFU, it has been discovered that the medical gowns provided by FENZ for members to wear at medical calls, do not comply with any National or International Standard.
Following investigation by the NZPFU, it has been discovered that the medical gowns provided by FENZ for members to wear at Medical calls, do not comply with any National or International standard.
Staffing levels across the country are sufficient to maintain current response protocols. The planning for Response Allocation Models for the spectra of possible scenarios with this pandemic are well underway but currently there is no need and no agreement to implement any changes that impact on contractual rights, minimum staffing, or changes to leave groups etc.
Happy Easter to all NZPFU members and their families! We especially wish a relaxing day for those on shift staffing the call centres and Firefighters responding to medical calls, fires and other emergencies. We thank you and your loved ones for your sacrifices.
Do not disclose any underlying medical condition without first seeking advice from NZPFU.
Members and their families have been asking for more information about the Covid-19 risk for firefighters responding. Below is a general guide developed by our medical response subject matter expert Justin Murtha. This is just a guide. FENZ employees and volunteers are reminded that there is COVID-19 information available on the portal.
Members will now know we are working in locked down station bubbles as per the Operational Instruction recently agreed by the Local and FENZ Management.
It’s been quite a while since my last post, we have been extremely busy but here goes!
FENZ has prioritised flu vaccinations for operational personnel.
The Auckland Local would like to acknowledge the many challenges the current situation presents for our people and the likelihood that a number of you may be experiencing additional distress during this time.
The necessary precautions for the protection of our members while maintaining response are in place with planning well underway for the many variations or changes that may result with the every-changing landscape of COVID-19.
Members will find attached the correct process for donning and doffing PPE during COVID-19 incidents.
As Members should now be aware, we are now working in a very different environment, and one the most challenging that the Auckland Fire Brigade has had in it’s long history.
As New Zealand prepares to go into unprecedented shut down everyone’s lives will need to be adjusted.
The threat level for Covid-19 will increase to level 3 and 4 in 48 hrs. This will have an impact on those with children home from school. If you haven't already had discussions at home around this, now would be a great time. Please keep communication lines open with your managers if this will affect your ability to work.
We understand that seconded trainers are being notified that they will be sent back to their stations and substantive positions as a result of the postponement of training courses.
By the closing date for nominations for the positions of Taupo Local President and Local Secretary, the following nominations have been received.
Following questions from members on the availability of Flu shots for Operational Staff the following email has been received from Lisa Grant, Project Coordinator Safety, Health and Wellbeing Workstream, Integration Programme.
The current COVID-19 situation continues to change on a daily basis, with the Government and Fire Emergency updating their protocols and procedures as required.
Please see attached new operational instructions issued by FENZ National Commander Kerry Gregory.
This afternoon we held a meeting of the National Committee and all Local representatives by teleconference to keep them up to date with developments and to discuss any issues arising for those Locals. Key points discussed are as follows.
The Auckland Local understands we are in unprecedented times, with many members having questions and concerns.
For several months the Auckland Local have been pushing FENZ management to reinstate the response of aerial appliances to first alarm incidents in New Zealand’s largest metropolitan CDB.
FENZ has agreed to have union representatives at the National and Regional levels on working groups/committees determining necessary operations planning and response protocols. It is imperative that professional career firefighters are throughout the chain of discussions and decision-making including at SSO and SO level so that all practical implications are considered to ensure the most effective and pragmatic response protocols are implemented.
If you have family members at home that are frail, sick, immune system compromised or elderly, be very conscious of not taking anything home that would adversely affect them. Be that as it may we all have to ensure that our personal hygiene practices are on point. Contact with infected surfaces or coughs/ sneezing is the main point of spread. Virus may live for up to three days on hard surfaces. Frequent washing of your hands with soap and water is the most effective way of preventing transmission.
Today NZPFU Local, Branch and National representatives met by telephone conference to update re the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NZPFU has confirmed with FENZ that all staff who are required to self-isolate as a result of travel and/or Government instructions will be granted special leave. If the person self-isolating becomes ill during that period the leave changes to sick leave.
The NZPFU has raised a series of issues with FENZ on the management of staff during this international public health emergency.
The Auckland Taskforce and Governance Group met last Friday to move forward on the recommendations developed by the Taskforce Group and accepted by the Governance Group.
By the closing date for nominations for the position of Auckland Local Committee Member, the following nominations have been received.
We have had reports that in some areas managers are attempting to act up firefighters into Officer positions which they are not qualified or assessed as competent to hold, and are doing regardless of the availability of suitably qualified personnel.
There is currently a public electronic petition circulating calling for the overhaul of ACC legislation to recognise mental health issues resulting from repeated and cumulative exposures to trauma.
Nominations close on 6 March 2020 and must be delivered to the Branch Office by midday on that date. No late nominations will be accepted.
Members who have not yet received their NZPFU t-shirt or was waiting for a different size please contact the union office as we have now more t-shirts in stock.
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union is calling ACC’s new assessment criteria for whether firefighters with work-related cancer claims are approved a “lucky dip.”
Today ACC and FENZ have announced a new tool to assess Firefighter cancer claims to determine if they are occupational cancer claims.
FENZ has recently announced its final decisions for the People Branch which includes the establishment of key national positions in safety, health and wellbeing, training and workforce capability.