PHOTO CREDIT: 1NEWS

Following a devastating house fire in Milldale north of Auckland yesterday the Local has written to the Acting National Commander formally asking for Fire and Emergency to undertake an operational review.

This was a structure fire that totally consumed the initial house, significantly damaged two of the neighbouring house, and slightly damaged the fence of the rear property.

The Local has requesed that an operational review be conducted to look into the following points to see the impacts they may have had on the incident and the outcome:

• Investigate building design that allowed rapid Fire spread from the initial structure of origin that ultimately crossed several property boundaries

• Fire Cause determination

• FENZ Vehicle Access to new sub-divisions, particularly narrow roads, speed calming measures

• FENZ resourcing of the Hibiscus Coast Community, including Pre-Determined Attendances, “beat lists”, out of date zones (eg large urban housing and commercial sub-divisions still classed as Rural), staffing, impacts of Volunteer “Z Beat” availability, volunteer workload. 

• Occurrences of simultaneous incidents, drive times, depletion of neighbouring communities resourcing.

• Out of date mapping data available on tablets.

This fire has obviously caused significant public concern in the community with several questions being raised that require answers.

As at June 2024, the Hibiscus Coast has a population of 69,070, making it the second most populated area in Auckland and the 10th in New Zealand. (Note - The Silverdale Fire Station first response Area has an even higher number of population due to a large rural response area of Rodney). This community is currently serviced by two volunteer fire stations (Silverdale and Manly), supplemented by a Monday to Friday Yellow Watch crew (based at Silverdale). Back up is provided by career stations from the North Shore that are at least 15-20 minutes away under emergency response.

The Hibiscus Coast is the only Community in New Zealand in the top 20 urban areas to not have 24/7 career firefighter staffing. 

In 2007, then Auckland Regional Management agreed that Silverdale Station should transition to career 24/7 firefighter staffing in the 2008 / 2009 Financial Year. The late Chief Executive Mike Hall wrote to the Union agreeing with this view, but disagreed on a timeframe.

The Local believes it is now time for a courageous conversation to be held about the FENZ resourcing of one of New Zealand’s most populated communities.