The Auckland Local has serious concerns about the current and ongoing state of the frontline fleet of fire trucks, rescue tenders, aerial ladder trucks and support vehicles throughout Auckland. 

Over the last few months, we have received numerous reports of front line fire trucks breaking down, including on the way to emergencies and also at fires. 

This presents an unacceptable risk to not only firefighters but to members of the public. 

We remind all Officers that if breakdowns occur at, or responding to, emergencies, then they must report this via an entry into the Fire and Emergency “Safe at Work” Reporting System. 

The state of the fleet is so bad that Fire and Emergency has run out of relief trucks, with some crews changing fire trucks multiple times a day. Additionally, trucks are having to be taken from Volunteer Stations to replace broken career trucks, leaving those communities under-resourced. 

Recently, an aerial ladder truck was relocated from Wellington for a week to replace the broken-down truck in Auckland. This left the two major New Zealand cities with only one High Reach Aerial Ladder Truck each. 

There is a complete lack of urgency from Fire and Emergency Management to resolve these issues.  The old fleet has become unsustainable to the point that no matter what Fire and Emergency spends, it continues to have an unreliable fleet with ongoing risks to firefighter safety.

The Local reminds all members to be vigilant with fleet and to report any and all defects immediately to get resolved. 

All defects that prevent a fire truck from responding to emergencies, or breakdowns at emergencies, should also be reported to your Local Union Representative. 

The Local understands the frustrations that members face, and the impact this is having on staff morale.  We ask that you continue to report defects, arrange for repairs, and to not accept anything that does not meet the required safety for you or the public that we serve. 

We will continue to collect information about the state of fleet and report back to the membership. 

Stay safe, and in unity. 

Auckland Local