Today the media have wrongfully claimed that Auckland firefighters were used as part of a police operation to apprehend an alleged offender on Sunday night.

The media reported that a fire and emergency appliance was used to block the path of the alleged offender.  This is incorrect.  It was purely a coincidence that the Hazmat appliance and crew were at an intersection and the alleged offender collided with the appliance.  They were then surrounded by police as they blocked the alleged offender from driving any further.  The appliance was damaged but the crew were not hurt.

Firefighters protect the community and preserve life and property.  They are not enforcers.  Firefighters are not trained or equipped for any police enforcement activity.  It is important that the public are reassured that firefighters will not be used as police enforcers.  The NZPFU has requested FENZ rectify the media misinformation with urgency.

In unity,
Wattie Watson
National Secretary