As New Zealand prepares to go into unprecedented shut down everyone’s lives will need to be adjusted. 

We have closed the NZPFU offices for the duration of the shutdown.  During this period please send any emails to secretary@nzpfu.org.nz. 

For those adjusting to the news and the impact it has on personal circumstances, put your operational thinking-cap on and problem solve as you would in any other emergency or challenging situation.  It is important that we maintain emergency response and to do that we need to maintain capacity and capability.  With some calm consideration most obstacles can be resolved or a compromise found.  If you have personal circumstances that cannot be resolved please ask your Manager for assistance.  Your union representative is always there to help and assist where practicable.   

Over the past five days in particular there has been intensive preparation and planning work in preparation of the Government declaring  New Zealand was at Alert Level 4.  This has not come by surprise and the necessary preparation has been undertaken.  We wish to recognise in particular the work of Wellington Local Secretary Alan Collett who has been instrumental in that preparation working closely with Nick Pyatt at HQ.  It is due to their tenacity and perseverance in particular, and with the assistance of others on that working party, that the preparation and planning has been achieved.  We also acknowledge our NZPFU Local, Branch and National Representatives, our Regional Covid-19 representatives who have been assisting with that preparation and planning while fielding calls and concerns from members as the situation and the impact on personal circumstances have developed.  Your union representatives have worked extraordinary hours to make sure the necessary planning and preparation was undertaken while continuing to ensure that members’ questions and issues are dealt with. 

Attached is the latest operational notice from National Commander Kerry Gregory with the updated instructions designed to minimise contact while maintaining response and operations.  Firefighters will now only be undertaking response activities.  Everyone is reminded to be vigilant in maintaining hygiene and the cleaning protocols.  

In addition we remind all members to carry their FENZ ID when moving about including to and from work as you are working for an essential service.

Be safe.  Take care of one another (from a safe distance of course!).

In unity,
Wattie Watson
National Secretary