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