Update

NZPFU Strike Action – FENZ Actions to Minimise Impact on Volunteers

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National news

We have received a number of queries from members about what is – and what is not - happening while the NZPFU members strike for one hour tomorrow (Friday 17 October) from 12pm-1pm.

Today, Fire and Emergency Chief Executive sent out an email to all volunteers advising of the steps they have taken to minimise impact on you.

We have summarised this below for your information and clarity:

  • Fire and Emergency will continue to use their standard response procedure and deploy from the next available station, as per established beat lists and pre-determined attendances (PDA). That means during the hour those closest to cities and towns served by paid firefighters may experience more callouts than normal. 
     
  • FENZ 111 call centres will have limited staff and will operate as one virtual ComCen during this hour. They will continue to operate and dispatch appliances as normal. Reminders have been put out to the public to only call 111 in a genuine emergency.
     
  • To reduce the impact on volunteer brigades, Fire and Emergency have made the decision to not respond in career first response zones to some section 12 incidents, including to medical calls or unconfirmed fire alarms during the time of the strike action.  
     

To support volunteers, Fire and Emergency are:

  • making sure the public is aware that our responses will be delayed in career first response zones
  • reminding the public of the actions they can take to be prepared and to reduce fire risks, including messages for business and building owners
  • engaging with fire permit holders
  • having appropriately trained Commanders on stand-by ready to respond to any key incidents that occur during the strike
  • advising Police that we may need some additional support, especially to control crowds at incidents
  • advising Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free so they can manage their resources effectively.

Updates on the Fire and Emergency and NZPFU bargaining process can be found on the portal (no log in required) - https://qrco.de/bgO59E