Members will be aware of the problems (historic) that have occurred at Waitemata Station.
Previous Fire Region Managers had put in place a “separation order”. Fire Region Manager Butt has now removed this. This will mean that the volunteers will
again start to sleep on station. A complex set of rules have been established for the Waitemata Volunteers to follow.
- The Union notes that once again volunteers can choose when they will give homeowners in their fire district the comfort of knowing when they will be protected 24 hours a day on an ad hoc basis.
- The Union has stated to Fire Service Managers that the situation in regards to manning at Waitemata is not acceptable and that the only losers are the residents within the district and public travelling through that district.
However, due to the lack of a Business Plan and fortitude of Fire Service Management, the public within Waitakere City will be put at risk due to the ignorance and personal agendas of some volunteers.
The Union has advised Fire Region Manager Brian Butt that if there are any problems arising from the separation order or sleeping on station, that the Union will take the appropriate action to ensure our members are protected from any accusations of misconduct or harassment.
Members are asked to adopt a commonsense approach, much like the Fire Service “Safe Person Concept”, when working at Waitemata.
