Today Station Officers are receiving letters notifying them that under the restructure proposals they are “impacted” as their line management would change from reporting to Assistant Area Managers to Group Managers.

In developing the proposal FENZ had failed to look at Station Officer job descriptions, or understand that Station Officers report to Assistant Area Managers. FENZ, or those that were putting the restructure proposal together, had thought that Station Officers reported to Senior Station Officers and only reported to Assistant Area Manager if there was not a Senior Station Officer on station.

NZPFU representatives raised this issue at information meetings and FENZ representatives were unable to respond at that time.

The FENZ letters apologise for the “oversight”.

This “oversight” is evidence that those that have developed these proposals do not fully understand the rank and command relationships of professional career firefighters. It is an indictment of those promoting the proposal that they do not know the reporting lines of career firefighters yet believe they have the sufficient knowledge to dismantle professional career firefighters safe systems of work and the fabric of command structures.

Members are reminded that we would appreciate their submissions being provided to the NZPFU by COB Monday. Members can use the online submission form or email your submission to wellington@nzpfu.org.nz.

In unity,
Wattie Watson
National Secretary