The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) is saddened to advise members of the sudden and tragic death of Mike Hall, ex Chief Executive/National Commander of the New Zealand Fire Service.
A discussion group will be formed shortly that will have representatives from the Local and Management.
Members have turned out en mass to get the real story from the NZPFU National Council and Committee Representatives as well as insights from our subject matter experts on FENZ's proposed restructure.
The Tauranga Local is becoming increasingly concerned with the reliability and performance of our operational vehicle fleet. As well as following normal reporting processes we are asking members to please record in writing, instances where vehicles have failed or not been fit for purpose. If operations were adversely affected, strategies and tactics changed, public/personnel or property put at risk, service delivery impacted or excessive time lost we want to know.
The NZPFU has been holding membership meetings around the country to inform members of the attacks on your safe systems of work through the FENZ “proposals for our organisational structure and approach to rank” which was released last Wednesday. The proposal will enable FENZ to appoint non-qualified, inexperienced and untrained civilians into positions currently known as Assistant Area Managers and Area Managers/Commanders and are proposed to be named Group Managers and District Managers. Your health and safety and the response to the community is under attack when a proposal enables FENZ to have non-qualified, untrained and inexperienced personnel manage career firefighters and stations, and are able to take command at an incident.
I really feel moved to tell you all that we really appreciate the great work you are all doing to keep, not only the Public and their property safe, but yourselves and your crews safe as well.
The Local wishes to show it’s appreciation to those who were able to attend one of the meetings on Monday.
The NZPFU National Executive and Tauranga / Kawerau Locals have called an urgent general meeting with members to discuss the recent organisational structure proposals and what it means for members. This is a chance to get a better understanding of the consultation proposals that will impact our roles in the future from our NZPFU National Exec as well as getting guidance on the process to provide feedback. This meeting is open to all NZPFU members.
The NZPFU National Executive and Tauranga / Kawerau Locals have called an urgent general meeting with members to discuss the recent organisational structure proposals and what it means for members. This is a chance to get a better understanding of the consultation proposals that will impact our roles in the future from our NZPFU National Exec as well as getting guidance on the process to provide feedback. This meeting is open to all NZPFU members.
The NZPFU National Executive and the Hamilton local have called an urgent general meeting to discuss the organisational structure proposals and what it means for members.
National Committee met under urgency yesterday at our National Office, our Lawyers were in attendance as were FECA reps to discuss a plan of attack to protect the profession of Firefighting and the safe systems of response for the safety of the community.
As members should be aware FENZ has recently released the document “Building Fire and Emergency New Zealand – proposals for our organisational structure and approach to rank”
The ratification process for the proposal to vary Part 4 of the FENZ and NZPFU Agreement for Uniformed and Communications Centre Employees commenced today.
Today at midday FENZ released its proposed organisational restructure which plans to decimate the current rank and role structures in order to put non-career firefighters at the helm of operations. If this proposal goes ahead it will herald an era of the disestablishment of a professional career fire and emergency service resulting in dire consequences for your health and safety and the safety of the public.
Members have been previously advised that the 9 October pay will include the 2% pay increase, and that the backpay (1 July 2019-9 October 2019) will be paid on 23 October 2019.
Members will be aware that there is currently a new transfer process under trial throughout Areas 3, 4 and 5.
A last minute decision to go for a walk on Moturiki Island, led to Adrian Hopcroft saving a girl from falling off the blowhole.
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.
