Following the release of the highly flawed and inappropriate Operations Review and Level 2 Serious Harm Investigation into the LaHood Fire, the Auckland Local issues the following instruction to members:

“That no member participates in any Operational Review or Level 2 Investigation in which AM Denis O’Donoghue, AAM Jeff Maunder or any other untrained individual appointed by Management are involved in any way with the Investigation Team. Also, no member is to participate in any Operations Review or Level 2 Investigation without a representative of the NZPFU present and that this representative must be endorsed by the Local Executive.”

The Local is disturbed that the comments of members who were “interviewed” for the above were misrepresented in the Operational Review. As well, members’ rights were run rough-shod over during the course of the Review, while other members were never interviewed and yet evidence attributed to them is stated in the Review.

The Union feels compelled to issue the above in order to uphold the principles of the Fire Service “No Blame” investigation process and to prevent such a flagrant abuse of members, and the rights of members, in the future.