FENZ have advised the NZPFU that the Independent Review of Workplace Practices lead by Judge Coral Shaw is to be released tomorrow following a media conference.

Workplace safety is paramount and the NZPFU views any negative workplace culture as a health and safety issue.

The reality is every decision we make, every position we take, as a Union we do so cognisant that almost every aspect of the firefighters’ employment and workplace can impact on whether that firefighter goes home safely after a shift.

Professional Firefighters work in an inherently dangerous, volatile and dynamic workplace. Firefighters put their quality and quantity of lives on the line every time they respond. There is a wealth of evidence that demonstrates that due to the exposures of toxins and carcinogens professional career firefighters have high rates of specific cancers when compared to the general population. Globally we are seeing a marked increase of professional career firefighters’ mental wellness issues due to the repeated exposures to trauma.

We are proactively working to minimise the dangers in the workplace and eliminating harmful workplace behaviours are part of that matrix.

The NZPFU does not condone poor workplace behaviour and will advocate strongly on behalf of our members as individuals, and as a collective, to stamp out any unacceptable behaviours.

As a Union we will continue to independently and proactively make any necessary changes to promote inclusive working conditions.

Once the report is released we will be able to consider the findings and recommendations.