Auckland Local Committee Ballot Declaration
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.
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.
In accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union INC, I am obligated to inform you that in accordance with Rule B 11.7, I declare the nominations listed below elected unopposed for the Gisborne Local.
The group undertaking the review into the Tasman fires have asked for a list of Union members who were deployed to the Tasman Fires and would like to be interviewed about their experiences.
In accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union INC.
The title says it all really – service delivery leadership team (SDLT) – the word operational seems to be increasingly banished in the organisation.
Part of the tasking for the Auckland Working Group has been to identify issues that are affecting the ability of our Firefighters to transfer throughout the wider Auckland area.
The protection of the professionalism of firefighting has been firmly placed on the agenda with the first meeting of the NZPFU and FECA held in Christchurch on Thursday 30 May 2019...
By the closing date for nominations for positions in the Auckland Local, the following nominations had been received.
By the closing date for nominations for positions in the Rotorua Local, the following nominations had been received.
On 6-9 May 2019 members of the Auckland Local Committee were fortunate enough to represent our Local at a Special Conference held in Auckland. During this Conference we discussed a few key issues and listened to some guest speakers. Here is a summary of what we covered.
The following correspondence is forwarded for members’ information following the event at Parliament last week in the drive for the introduction of presumptive legislation and recognition of occupational cancers to firefighters.
This week a firefighter was seriously injured requiring hospitalisation after an accident using a Hose Testing Rig.
Great first meeting with National Secretary Wattie Watson, National President Ian Wright and the FECA Committee, discussing professionalism of career firefighting, safety and well-being, and joint Unified Service Delivery concerns and opportunities.
NZPFU supports the teachers bid for recognition of the critical role they play in the future of our children - the future of NZ.
Today the NZPFU, Auckland Local and Sulu Devoe and John Waldow resolved all outstanding matters in a full and final confidential settlement which included the following agreed statement which is the only statement to be made in this matter:
In order to better represent NZPFU members who are full time regional trainers we need to collate a database.
CREDIT: Sharon Murdoch / Sunday Star Times
NZPFU Member and firefighter Josh Darby has produced the attached comprehensive analysis of research into firefighters’ mental health and wellbeing. Our Comms Centre members are also subject to trauma and need similar mental health and wellbeing assistance.
Firefighters are reportedly dying in record numbers.
Following concerns from staff regarding carcinogens, asbestos exposure and lack of control measures at the present time, the need for our members to be decontaminated post incident and the need to maintain a clean cab and personnel hygiene under our Health and Safety Policy, Area 4 has developed an interim guideline to enhance the SOP G7-1 Post Fire Decontamination in consultation with AM Mackereth.
International expert/firefighter/lawyer and Winnipeg Firefighters Union President Alex Forrest made the most of every opportunity while here in NZ to push for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters occupational cancers.
Firefighters drove their engines to Parliament's doors today, wanting laws to acknowledge the high rates of cancer among them... Full story here.
Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin told firefighters on the steps of Parliament today that she has written to ACC Minister Iain Lees-Galloway voicing her support for an amendment to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer and that it needs to be put on the legislative agenda.
Firefighters are pushing for a dozen or more cancers to be recognised as linked to their occupation, so they don't have to battle ACC for compensation. Firefighters and firetrucks are expected on the forecourt of parliament at twelve-thirty today to remind politicans they are still not automatically covered for occupational cancers.