UFBA progress with ACC – we have made some traction!
Many of our members will know that the UFBA has been working hard for several years to make positive changes to ACC legislation for volunteer firefighters, including gaining access to ACC cover for volunteer firefighters when they suffer a gradual process workplace illness or injury while carrying out their duties as FENZ personnel. Examples of this include certain cancers and psychological trauma.
In 2023, a public consultation process was facilitated by the Ministry for Business and Enterprise (MBIE) seeking submissions on additions to Schedule 2 of the ACC Act (MBIE are the regulating body for ACC and Schedule 2 specifies occupational disease). The UFBA submission proposed 38 conditions specific to firefighters. Visit our website to view our 2023 submission - https://www.ufba.org.nz/news/MBIE-submission-firefighting-cancers-and-diseases
On the 4 September 2024, the UFBA Board Chair and CE met with the Minister for ACC, Matt Doocey and a team of MBIE policy writers to advance our advocacy for volunteers. The meeting was positive and finished with a commitment by the Minister, requesting the MBIE policy team to work with UFBA.
We are pleased to have recently received an invitation from MBIE inviting our feedback on the new proposals to Schedule 2. It is great to see that these proposals include seven from our 2023 submission, specifically mesothelioma, bladder cancers, female reproductive cancers, lung cancers, and diseases caused by corneal irritants and ammonia – along with naming firefighting as an occupation. The UFBA is currently preparing our feedback and we invite members to do the same through the MBIE website - https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/seeking-feedback-on-accs-occupational-diseases-list
While we are still pushing for volunteer firefighters to have equal recognition and cover from ACC, we are mindful that this latest development is more beneficial to our paid members. The UFBA feels the process is heading in right direction and while not reflective of everything we want, it is a good start. We are receiving positive engagement and support from the right people for this work, and we will continue.
Kia kaha, kia kotahi ra
Our strength is our unity