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.
With the incredible assistance of international expert/firefighter/lawyer and Winnipeg Firefighters Union President Alex Forrest we are well on the way to achieving cross-party support for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancers.
The Auckland Local is aware that several individual complaints from members were made directly to the National Council during lasts years dispute with the National Committee.
Back on the campaign trail with Alex Forrest meeting with politicians today in Parliament.
Firefighters should be compensated by ACC for cancers linked to the job, industry experts say.
The NZPFU has two representatives involved in the design groups for Tranche 2 (Wellington Local Secretary Alan Collett) and Tranche 2B (Hamilton Local Secretary) of the new FENZ structure.
International expert/firefighter/lawyer and Winnipeg Firefighters’ Union President Alex Forrest has generously made time for a second trip to push for presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters’ occupational cancer.
The NZPFU supported the 2019 Firefighters Golf Tournament which was a great success with 130 participants participating at the Levin Golf Course last month.
Auckland members are strongly encouraged to participate in the second survey released by the Auckland Taskforce.
National Secretary Wattie Watson and National Vice President Joseph Stanley met with Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin at Parliament today to discuss firefighters’ occupational cancer and mental wellness.
The NZPFU conference being held in Auckland this week recognised longstanding Union Committee Member and stalwart Brent (Dorks) Single today.
On International Firefighters’ Day we remember and recognise all firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their community. It is a day for the global firefighting community to reflect on the devastating outcomes for some firefighters and their families as a result of selflessly putting their lives on the line to protect lives and property. We pay our respects to the firefighters who died in the line of duty – as a result of an accident or injury but also as a result of occupational illness.
The NZPFU was part of a global alliance call for a worldwide ban on the use of any PFAS firefighting foams in Geneva this week.