Equipment Failures Hamper Firefighters Amid Industrial Action

Firefighters in the South Island of New Zealand faced significant challenges on Thursday as equipment failures hindered their response to multiple vegetation fires fueled by dry conditions and strong winds. Four fire appliances broke down while en route to emergencies, raising serious concerns about the reliability of firefighting resources in the region.

According to Mike Taylor, the Dunedin secretary of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU), the situation is “ridiculous” and reflects ongoing issues within the firefighting service. “You couldn’t make it up,” he stated, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “The public might say, ‘This can’t really be happening, surely,’ but this is literally happening to us every day.”

One notable incident occurred while responding to a third alarm vegetation fire in Balclutha. The Dunedin command centre lost power while navigating Lookout Point hill and had to coast to a stop on the Fairfield off-ramp, blocking traffic until repairs could be made. This malfunction left the nearest command centres located in Timaru and Invercargill to cover the area.

The Roslyn station also faced difficulties, experiencing mechanical failures with a pump that rendered it inoperative twice. Additionally, two volunteer firefighting crews encountered issues with their trucks, which delayed their response times. Taylor highlighted that the challenges extend beyond career firefighters, affecting volunteers as well.

The Dunedin station has been relying on a 39-year-old aerial appliance since its 28-year-old truck is currently out of action. Taylor pointed out that this scenario exemplifies the broader issues faced by firefighting services across the country, contributing to ongoing strikes.

On the same day as the equipment failures, career firefighters in Dunedin staged a walk-off from noon until 13:00 as negotiations between Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) and the NZPFU stalled. Taylor noted that Fenz was pushing the union towards facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority, which he believes hampers genuine negotiation efforts. “As long as they’re trying to push down that line, then they’re not sitting around the table. We can’t negotiate and so we’re at a stalemate. We need to come back to the table,” he stated.

The ongoing talks between the NZPFU and Fenz focus on critical issues such as health and safety, aging equipment, staffing levels, and pay. Since August, the NZPFU has initiated nationwide industrial action due to the lack of a collective employment agreement for career firefighters. Taylor expressed the emotional toll of the strikes, stating, “Every time firefighters had to strike, the mood became increasingly sombre. We just want to get back to doing the job that we love — we don’t want to be here.”

In response to the recent developments, Megan Stifler, Deputy National Commander of Fenz, expressed disappointment over the NZPFU’s decision to issue further strike notices for one-hour strikes scheduled for December 5 and December 12. “I urge the NZPFU to withdraw these latest strike notices and not issue any more while the Employment Relations Authority is considering our application to provide facilitation,” she said.

As the situation unfolds, the impact of these equipment failures combined with ongoing industrial action raises serious concerns about the preparedness and safety of firefighting services in New Zealand, highlighting the urgent need for resolution in negotiations and substantial investment in firefighting resources.