Kiwi firefighters honour fallen colleagues with haka at 9/11 commemoration
As Local Secretary of the Auckland Local, I certify that the following Remits and Life Honorary Membership nominations were successfully passed at our current AGM for consideration at the November 2019 NZPFU Annual Conference.
FENZ has notified the NZPFU of the process for distributing the pending consultation document detailing the Tranche 2 and Tranche 2B proposals.
The NZPFU Council have been touring the country attending AGMs briefing members on the attacks on the professionalism of firefighting.
NZPFU National President Ian Wright and National Secretary Wattie Watson have taken every opportunity to see IAFF health and safety initiatives and programmes while in the USA for the IAFF Redmond’s Health and Safety conference.
As Members are aware the NZPFU has notified of a dispute on proposed changes to rank and command structures, and gave notice to FENZ that their intended consultation processes would be in breach of the NZPFU collective agreement.
Members are reminded of the importance of calling for an aerial appliance to respond early in an incident if one has not already been dispatched by Firecom.
Members are advised of the option of using the K-10 radio message to advise Firecom and on-call executives of a crew’s attendance at a traumatic incident or event. This will place the appliance out of commission, allowing the crew to return to station to recommission and debrief an event, or seek additional help as required, without the appliance having to be responded to another incident.
Members are reminded that cooking fires are not automatically false alarms but, in fact, structure fires with no structural damage, for the purpose of incident reporting.
FENZ commanders are united with the NZPFU in our bid to protect critical rank and command structures.
The NZPFU is deeply concerned that the health and safety of firefighters and the protection of the community will be put at risk with FENZ’s restructure. Today we notified FENZ of a dispute requiring the resolution of rank and command issues before any move to consult on a restructure.
All NZPFU members covered by the Uniformed and Communications Centre Employees Collective Agreement will receive a 2% pay increase backdated to 1 July 2019 as a result of the annual review of market wage rates. All allowances will also be increased by 2%.
I hereby declare Samuel White elected Nelson Local Vice-President.
Subsequent to a number of discussions between NZPFU trainer and training reps, Norm Gilroy, Greg Lee and James Hall and NTC Management, some members of the Training Leadership Team and NTC staff, FENZ have agreed to relax the original instructions of allowing trainers who stay for a continual 8 weeks before they have the opportunity of utilising accommodation with self-catering OR hotel accommodation down to 8 weeks per year, not 8 continual weeks as currently being used. Self-catering accommodation is also quite a bit more expensive than the costs offered by the hotels, but FENZ’s focus is not on money, but more about staff welfare and comfort.
In accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union INC, I am obliged to inform you that in accordance with Rule B 11.7, I declare Peter Jack Harwood duly elected, unopposed for the position of Central Branch Vice President.
In numerous communications over the past 6 months the NZPFU have declared that rank, role and command is not negotiable as it protects the health and safety of firefighters and the community. The protection of the professionalism of firefighting is not parochial, it is the protection of safe systems of work ensuring the appropriately trained, qualified and experienced personnel are deployed for response, and manage the systems in preparation of response. It is not “divisive” to respect and recognise the qualifications, experience and skills of professional firefighters. It is critical for the core functions of FENZ to be achieved safely.
The energy and commitment to be part of a dynamic union structure representing the interests of our members was evident in the recent Local elections.
As per the attached Ballot Declaration Form, I hereby declare the candidates ranked 1 to 10 elected to the Auckland Local Committee as of 1 August 2019.
This past few weeks has many of us thinking about SFF Patrick (Sarj) Sarjeant from Hamilton. My thoughts are with the crews and families from across Hamilton Fire brigade.
FENZ was warned by NZPFU representatives three years ago after a serious aerial appliance failure that an aerial appliance maintenance replacement programme was overdue and procurement processes had to commence. Three years later there is a crisis in Auckland where the region that was serviced with 5 heavy aerial (ladder) appliances now only has two. Every metropolitan city in New Zealand is affected by a faulty aerial appliance.
The PSA has approached FENZ and the NZPFU as a “comparator” for a pay equity claim.
Members are advised that due to maintenance issues identified by a structural engineer, the hose towers at West Harbour and Glen Eden Stations are closed effective immediately.
Recent appointments are a clear indication that FENZ is on the path of civilianisation of operational management roles.
J Rated tyres continue to be found on operational appliances in Auckland. J rated tyres have a 100kph speed limit. Due to our axle loading the suppliers have assured us we can safely use them at 110kph for short periods, however the Auckland Local Committee view dated 18th Dec 2018 is that “Until such time as a National Standard is agreed upon, the Auckland Local Committee’s stance is that J-Rates tyres should not be fitted to operational vehicles (any already on should be identified)”.
FENZ has confirmed completion of the work to calculate the holiday remediation payments for remaining 76 firefighters for their annual holidays taken between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2017. The holiday remediation payments will be included in their Wednesday 17 July pay.
Members are reminded that recent changes to Area 4 Pre-determined Attendances have removed aerial appliances from ALL first alarm STRU’s. This means that an aerial must be specifically called for on top of any first alarm attendance.
Officers are strongly encouraged to request additional resources to respond to reports of a structure fire. This will ensure that adequate resources are quickly available on the fire-ground for a safe and efficient fire attack.
Some conferences ago it was agreed that the next Wellington Local election would be conducted electronically as a trial. The Wellington Local was elected without need of an election and therefore we have not been able to trial electronic voting.
The NZPFU membership extends its heartfelt condolences and support to the family of firefighter SFF Patrick “Sarj” Sarjeant who tragically passed away this week.
It is with great sadness that the Hamilton Fire Brigade announce the passing of Senior Firefighter, Patrick 'Sarj' Sarjeant.
Results of ballot as per the attached Ballot Declaration Form.
The Colmar Brunton “most trusted public sector organisation” survey has FENZ in the top spot for trust, social responsibility and fairness. It was also placed at the top in 2018.
In accordance with Rule B 11.9, of the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Fire Fighters Union INC, I am declaring the results for the position of Hawkes Bay Local Secretary as listed below:
Members will be aware that the yearly pay assessment and adjustment as required in the CEA was supposed to have been completed and effective from today's date.
NZPFU Member and Committee Member Brent Single was honoured at a function in Hawkes Bay this week. Brent has retired this month after 50 years-service as a firefighter and union stalwart.
The Southern Branch executive and Local Branch Secretaries have elected Richard Hurst-Long to the position of Southern Branch Returning Officer.
Tuesday 9 July will mark 25 years since Firefighter Jim Hughes from Birkenhead Station was tragically killed on-duty on Auckland’s Northern Motorway.
With the retirement of Central Branch Vice President Brent Single, nominations are now being called for the position of Central Branch Vice President.
As per the attached Ballot Declaration Form, I hereby declare:
On Thursday the NZPFU advised members not to recommence hose testing. FENZ had issued a notice lifting the ban of host testing despite the pending investigation into a serious injury with amended hose testing procedures.
In accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Fire Fighters Union INC.
A firefighter in Auckland was seriously injured a few weeks ago while undertaking pressure hose testing. As FENZ placed a ban on high pressure testing and the Auckland Local issued a notice stating all hose testing using a host testing rig should be immediately suspended pending the outcome of the Level 2 investigation.
One of my most disliked phrases, and we’ve all used it, as a descriptor of ourselves and others in this job is “just a firefighter”. Maybe it’s our humble kiwi nature, maybe it’s a tall poppy thing, but we are not “just” firefighters. We are Career Professional Firefighters and we need to start thinking of ourselves as that. We should be proud to be a Professional Firefighter, we are after all, the most trusted workers in the country. And in an organisation with over 12000 operational personnel it is our professionalism that sets us apart, the entry tests - both physical and mental, the initial interview process, but also the ongoing training and development - the courses, the exams, the assessments, which are continuous and must be maintained, this is a point of difference to our volunteer colleagues.
Congratulations to SFF Hayden Smith from Green Watch in Dunedin for his NZPFU t-shirt design competition winning design!
FENZ has confirmed they have completed the work to calculate the holiday remediation payments for around 202 firefighters for their annual holidays taken between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2017. This group covers firefighters who either had a period of leave without pay or were seconded into a Black Watch position during the remediation period. The holiday remediation payments will be included in with the Wednesday 19 June pay.
