PPE Gowns to be removed immediately
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.
Dry Hawkes Bay has suffered a season of plantation and vegetation fires while trying to maintain usual response and calls including regular structure fires and greater alarm events.
These can be difficult, confusing and for some scary times – where is the line drawn on acceptable and not acceptable language, gender descriptions, jokes, and humour?
Today Auckland Local Secretary Martin Campbell, Auckland Local President Sulu Devoe and National Secretary Wattie Watson today met with the Reviewers undertaking the operational review into the NZ International Convention Centre Fire at Sky City.
The NZPFU encourages members to participate and support the annual Wellington Pride Parade which will take place on Saturday 7 March 2020 6pm to 10pm.
Firefighters in Auckland Areas 3, 4 and 5 have been asked to collect names and addresses of all present at every fire and to report the details back to FireCom to be forwarded to rural personnel.
The NZPFU has received reports that Senior/Station Officers are getting pushback from management when insisting on decontamination processes.
Further to the safety alert withdrawing all Flashflood 500 hose from service, there have been other instances of other internal ferruled 70mm hose separating from the male coupling.
In accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, nominations are hereby called for the following position:
Every two years operational firefighters are required to undertake the Physical Competency Assessment (PCA) and 2020 is a PCA year.
Members will be aware of a recent request from Trevor Brown (National Operational Efficiency Manager) to gather information from officers and firefighters who attended the International Convention Centre.
From time to time, members may be requested to meet on an individual basis with Area Management for a range of issues including well-being conversations, return to work meetings, disciplinary meetings, performance meetings or informal meetings.
There have been three instances of near new Flashflood 500 x 70mm failure at the coupling under normal working pressure. The most recent was at a structure fire at Otahuhu. Fortunately no one was injured. Hose failure is a serious safety issue for crews on an incident ground when there is an immediate loss of water.
The NZPFU is facilitating “Operation Rest and Respite” for Australian firefighters and their families needing a much deserved break from the catastrophic bush fires in Australia.
First blog for the year! It’s been a big and busy year in the Union (hence the rather long blog!) I have been trying to paint a picture over the last 12, now 13 blogs about the types of hours and hard work many of our elected reps and SME’s are doing for all of us. And yes, it does take time, but that is what is needed at this critical time when we are influencing the future of firefighting and all that goes with that.
“National will amend ACFC legislation to clarify cover for firefighters through an evidence-based presumptive list of cancers which arise from being a firefighter” according to the Party’s recently released Health Discussion document.
Fire Emergency have for some time implemented a review of rostering processes that may identify potential duplicate allowances being generated in SMS and uploaded to Pse for payment.
On behalf of the Executive of the Northern Branch, we wish all members and their families a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.