Hastings man Brett "Gonzo" How put out fires for more than 30 years. It was all he ever wanted to do.
But the toxins he was exposed to as part of his job took a fatal toll on his body.
How died in January, 2018, aged 54. His death followed what is believed to be the first case in New Zealand where ACC has treated a firefighter's lung cancer as work-related.
Now How's wife Cherie Flintoff has been given an acknowledgement that his death was also work-related.
Members will no doubt be aware of the major 5th Alarm fire that broke out last night on the North Shore. This fire had widespread impacts to people across Tamaki Makaurau with several Emergency Alerts having to be made. Additionally, our thoughts go out the local community, including the owner, tenants, and staff of the businesses impacted.
Members will no doubt be aware of Wednesday's major fire in a scrapyard in Papakura. Whilst the cause of this fire is still under investigation what is known is that the impacts of it were widespread right across Auckland.
We have been told that staff wanting to do Return to Work Duties will have to do them at District HQ and they do not intend to reimburse your travel costs, “you are getting an enhanced pay and you can fund your own travel”. We have since got an agreement that the travel distance reimbursement will be paid for travel to District HQ.