Alex Forrest, NZPFU President Ian Wright and National Secretary met with Minister Iain Lees-Galloway today and ACC advisors. Despite the many challenges for the Government this week, the Minister set aside almost an hour to hear about Alex’s international experience in presumptive legislation to recognise firefighters occupational cancer. This is the second meeting for the NZPFU with the Minister.

FENZ HR representatives invited Alex to their meeting today to gain a better understanding of the issue and what their role would be to support firefighters.

We finished up the day meeting with FENZ National Operations Advisor - Carcinogenic Control Kevin Crume BS, PhD, MBA, MIFireE. Occupational hygiene is the key to minimising the exposures. The campaign for presumptive legislation goes hand in hand with educating firefighters and the employer about all the measures firefighters can take to reduce the risk of cancer. It is great we have an expert who is a firefighter and passionate about keeping firefighters as safe as possible. We talked about the programmes in Canada and the work Kevin is researching and planning here.

Tomorrow we take the campaign on tour – calling into the Masterton Fire station in the morning as we make our way up to Hawkes Bay.

In Hawkes Bay we meet with a local MP, talk with deceased firefighter Brett How’s widow Cherie Flintoff, visit the Hastings Fire Station about 3pm before heading over for a firefighter and their families evening at the Napier Fire Station from 6.30pm.

We encourage all firefighters to take the chance to meet with Alex and here about his extensive experience.

In unity, 
Wattie Watson 
Secretary

Related Articles

VIEW ALL VIEW ALL

Breaking News

Tamaki Makaurau Flooding, State of Local Civil Defence Emergency

Last nights unprecedented weather event caused widespread havoc across the region with Fire and Emergency career and volunteer crews, operational support and 111 emergency dispatchers working to exhaustion, with all available FENZ resources at times being mobilised to incidents right across the region.


Season’s Greetings and Office Hours

The Auckland Local wishes all members a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The Auckland Office will be closed from the afternoon of Friday 23 December 2022, reopening on Monday 9 January 2023.


Ratification Meeting next Tuesday 13th Dec at 5pm

As you will be well aware by now, we have finally reached an agreed term of settlement in the negotiation for a new CEA. The NZPFU is recommending members accept it and ratify the settlement offer. The National Committee has completely wrung out the sponge for every possible drop of benefit to members, and it's now our turn to act.