Wednesday, National announced our three-point plan to fix Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ).
I’ve spent the last two years fighting for answers, asking the tough questions of FENZ leaders and the board, and then calling for and leading an inquiry to the state of the organisation.
We found an organisation with broken and failed governance, new appliances (fire trucks) that were ordered seven years ago and are still not in use, gaps in training, and a lack of accountability, transparency and record keeping around key decisions. It leaves me lacking confidence and needing to see significant change.
The big question is what will we do next: Yesterday I stood alongside Mark Mitchell in Plimmerton to outline what the next National Government will do to fix it.
National’s three-point plan is bold and clear:
1. Restoring accountability and resetting the organisation, starting with removing the entire board.
National will remove the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board, make FENZ report directly to the Minister of Emergency Management, with tighter control, resetting leadership and holding leaders accountable for delivering a turnaround plan. That includes settling the pay dispute.
2. Supporting volunteer firefighters
Volunteers often attend the same calls as paid firefighters, wearing the same kit, taking the same risks, but they don’t get the same support. National will require FENZ to provide private insurance for work-related mental injury and gradual onset injury, which they don’t currently get from ACC.
3. Backing the frontline with the tools they need to do the job.
National will ensure all the appliances (fire trucks) that have been ordered are delivered and brought into service. We’ll direct a 10 year plan to consistently bring new appliances in each year, and bring aging appliances into the expected age limits. We’ll prioritise a funded plan to restore live fire training and ensure niggly little rules like axle weight limits and emissions profiles aren’t limiting the ability to serve our community.
Our plan isn’t just about supporting firefighters, it’s about supporting Kiwi communities.
Firefighters turn up in our worst moments. When a building is on fire, when a car crashes, when the storm hits, the floodwaters rise, or medical help is needed, they run towards the dangers when instinct says to run away.
Firefighters deserve an organisation that is as reliable and prepared as they are. National’s 3 point plan fixes FENZ so firefighters can better serve our communities.
I’m really proud of the work National is leading for our firefighters and communities across New Zealand. You can read all the detail on our website here.
