Part of the tasking for the Auckland Working Group has been to identify issues that are affecting the ability of our Firefighters to transfer throughout the wider Auckland area.

Following consultation with staff and the Auckland Working Group survey recently completed, it has been recognised that the differences in policies and procedures for transfers and vacancies applied to the three Areas in the Auckland Region have created confusion and concerns.

In an attempt to resolve these issues, the Auckland Local, in conjunction with the Personnel Managers from the three Areas, sat down to discuss best practices that can be applied to ensure consistency and fairness.

Following extensive consultation, the following principals have been agreed on to trial for a 12-month period. At the end of the trial period both the Local and the Area Management will meet again to review the trial and decide on its future.

Both the Local and Management have the ability to withdraw from the trial before the 12-month period is up if either feels that it is not working or being applied properly.

Below is the set of criteria agreed in principal for that trial:

TRANSFERS TRIAL

1. An agreement was reached when filling Officer and Firefighter vacancies in Area’s 3, 4 & 5 the following recommendation should apply.
   
   When multiple vacancies exist within an Area, the Area can advertise all their stations, regardless of the current vacancy locations within the area. We will request individuals that are considering moving stations to apply and advise in order their three preference stations.
   
   Applications will be ranked using current criteria, and the position will be offered to the top ranked applicant.
   
   This will be open and transparent and there shall be a Local Union representative sit in on the selection panel. This will allow Local input into the ranking and selection process.
   
   Any stations that do not generate a vacancy, then the vacancy for that station can be cancelled.
   
   There is also the ability to reserve a station for a Recruit if no one applies or for operational requirements.
   
   Only those that apply will be eligible for movement.
   
   
2. Approximately every six months
   
   An advert for Area’s 3, 4 & 5 will be placed for existing Firefighters and Officers from Area’s 3, 4 & 5 for vacancies across the three area’s (station locations will be advised), therefore allowing Firefighters and Officers the opportunity to move across area boundaries.
   
   Annually or as Required
   
   Areas 3, 4 and 5 will advertise as required or nationally (what ever comes first) for Firefighters and Officers utilising the vacancies and appointment function on Firenet.
   
   The exception to this rule would be compassionate grounds.
   
   
3. Area Relievers:
   
   For consistency ‘Base station’ be defined as the closest 24 hour station to their home within their area. Existing relievers will be grandfathered for those who are happy at their current stations. This means that relievers will be paid from their “base station” for mileage rates and the greater of the prescribed travel time or the actual time taken to travel.
   
   
4. Station Relievers:
   
   Will have the closest station within their relieving cycle to their home as their base station. Existing relievers will be grandfathered for those who are happy at their current stations. This means that relievers will be paid from their “base station” for mileage rates and the greater of the prescribed travel time or the actual time taken to travel.
   
   
5. Area Relievers/Station Relievers
   
   Area Relievers and Station Relievers will have first rights to any permanent position at their home station. If there are two or more Relievers at one station, then the person with the most appropriate skills; then most time in rank; will get the position.
   
   
6. SSO’s will encourage the movement of staff as part of their development, particularly SO qualified SFF.