Key Takeaways
- A Dunedin-based fire command unit lost power and had to coast down the motorway due to equipment failure
- The incident occurred the day before firefighters were set to go on strike seeking better pay and equipment
- The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has been negotiating with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) for a collective employment agreement
- Key issues in the negotiations include health and safety concerns, ageing equipment, staffing numbers, and pay
- Dunedin firefighters will walk off the job for one hour at midday as part of nationwide industrial action
Introduction to the Incident
A recent incident involving a Dunedin-based fire command unit has highlighted the concerns of firefighters in New Zealand regarding the state of their equipment. The command unit, which was deployed to a large vegetation fire in Balclutha, lost power and had to coast down the motorway, coming to a stop on the Concord on-ramp. This incident occurred the day before firefighters were set to go on strike, seeking better pay and equipment. According to Mike Taylor, the Dunedin secretary of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU), the command unit made it as far as Lookout Point Hill before losing all power and having to wait for rescue.
Equipment Failure and Lack of Resilience
The incident is just one example of the lack of resilience within Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) when it comes to equipment. Taylor stated that this was a real-life example of the issues that firefighters are facing, and it is one of the reasons why they are striking. The Roslyn Station’s lead fire appliance has also suffered a breakdown, and the Willowbank station is running on a 29-year-old spare truck. Furthermore, for months, Dunedin firefighters were operating a 39-year-old aerial appliance as their newer 28-year-old truck was out of action. These equipment failures demonstrate the need for better maintenance and replacement of ageing equipment, which is a key issue in the negotiations between the NZPFU and Fenz.
Negotiations and Industrial Action
The NZPFU and Fenz have been locked in negotiations for a collective employment agreement for career firefighters. However, after multiple failures to come to an agreement, the NZPFU began nationwide industrial action in August. The talks between the union and Fenz have centered around health and safety concerns, ageing equipment, staffing numbers, and pay. The NZPFU is seeking improvements in these areas to ensure that firefighters have the resources they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively. The industrial action, which includes a one-hour strike by Dunedin firefighters at midday, is aimed at putting pressure on Fenz to address these concerns and come to a fair agreement.
Impact of the Strike
The strike by Dunedin firefighters is part of a larger nationwide effort to draw attention to the issues facing firefighters in New Zealand. The NZPFU is hoping that the strike will demonstrate the importance of addressing the concerns of firefighters and the need for better equipment, staffing, and pay. The strike may also have an impact on the community, as firefighters will not be available to respond to emergencies during the one-hour strike period. However, the NZPFU has stated that the strike is a necessary step to ensure that firefighters have the resources they need to keep the community safe.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The incident involving the Dunedin-based fire command unit highlights the need for urgent action to address the concerns of firefighters in New Zealand. The NZPFU and Fenz must work together to find a solution to the issues of ageing equipment, staffing numbers, and pay. The industrial action, including the strike by Dunedin firefighters, is a key part of this process, and it is hoped that it will lead to a fair and equitable agreement for career firefighters. As the negotiations continue, it is essential that the concerns of firefighters are taken seriously, and that concrete steps are taken to address the issues that are affecting their ability to perform their jobs safely and effectively.
