Fire and Emergency New Zealand has launched a war of words against the New Zealand Professional Firefighterss Union (NZPFU), following the devastating Pakuranga Pita House fire last week.
During the busy afternoon lunch rush on 9 January, the owners of the Lebanese speciality restaurant were over-run by a kitchen fire that engulfed and ultimately destroyed the family business.
The fire took place during a planned strike as part of the firefighters union’s ongoing pay dispute.
FENZ Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says, due to the location, it took 30 minutes for the nearest volunteer crews to travel to the incident.
“The nearest paid firefighter station is Mount Wellington.
“Following the one-hour strike they arrived on scene within four minutes.
“This is exactly why we have repeatedly asked the NZPFU to call off these strikes while we are in the process of facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority.
“As a career firefighter I am appalled to see the NZPFU use someone’s tragedy as a punch line.
“We have previously sought to establish a process to which we can call on paid firefighters for more serious incidents and the NZPFU has rebuffed us.
“The NZPFU is the one gambling with the public’s safety.
“I want to thank our 11,800 volunteers across the country, and their employers, for supporting them to respond over today’s strike hour,” she says.
The Union however quick to hit back, focussing attention on what it says is a lack of proper resourcing for professional firefighters.
“These fires can happen, and do happen, at any time of the day any day of the week”, the Union posted on its Facebook page.
“FENZ needs to focus on building a sustainable and reliable fire service.
“Reaching agreement on safe and reasonable terms and conditions for firefights and other NZPFU members is reaching agreement on better protection for the community”.
The pay negotiations between the Union and FENZ continues, with further strike action planned.
