Electric Blanket Testing
Members may be aware of a recent e mail from P Glennie (region) regarding electric blanket testing. In that e mail he states that firefighters can use the 4 blanket testing rigs held at region office. These can be used at brigade open days like City station has done previously. He correctly states that there is no requirement for the testing to be carried out by a registered electrician and that a “competent person” can conduct these tests.
Information the Local has indicates that a competent person for the purposes of NZ Standard 3760 must have so much electrical and technical knowledge that the general firefighter/officer on the floor would not be considered a “competent person”.
The Local finds that the e mail from P Glennie could put firefighters/officers and the Fire Service at risk of misinterpreting results from the testing units and therefore sending members of the public home with faulty electric blankets. Unlike Regional staff, members will not need to be reminded of the potentially catastrophic results of such an occurrence and the effect this would have on fire-fighters image in the public eye. Unlike Regional Management, the Local is not prepared to put its members at risk like this. CFO Wellington realized the problem and risk last year when he brought back registered electricians to carry out their station electric blanket testing day.
Therefore, it is the Locals policy that only registered electricians use any test rigs and test any electric blankets on any fire station or at any event.
Local Elections
Members are further reminded of Wellington Local Committee elections that will be conducted in the coming months.
Members are asked to consider whether they will be in a position to support Union activities and stand for any positions.
