News Story
The Bill reforming fire services in New Zealand has today completed its passage through all stages in Parliament and awaits the Royal Assent to become law. The Fire and Emergency New Zealand Bill was introduced by Minister Peter Dunne, and its third reading today ends a long saga of attempts to reform our fire services. Minister George Hawkins announced sweeping changes in March 2004. Over the 13 years there have been 2 formal reviews, several major consultations... and seven ministers. The Bill amalgamates urban and rural services, enables firefighters to legally undertake non-fire emergencies (and with indemnity), provides local advisory committees to influence and advise FENZ and improves support for volunteers, enabling them to communicate directly with FENZ. MPs who spoke in today's debate about the Bill all acknowledged the work of firefighters, especially volunteers. and most recognised that the reform was a significant measure updating matters that had been let slide over decades. MPs also congratulated Peter Dunne on successfully formulating the measures and then shepherding the legislation through all stages. Several MPs regretted that the word "service" has been dropped from the organisation's new name because, they said, it's apparent that service to the community is the foundation mission for all firefighters. Of interest to our members will be the new clause under "additional functions" that may be carried out by FENZ: "providing assistance at transport accidents (for example, crash scene cordoning and traffic control)". This measure is timely: Auckland Operational Support members already provide traffic management at 95 per cent of all incidents they attend so it's fitting this will be enabled in law. The Bill passed today, fittingly International Firefighters' Day, with all-Party support except New Zealand First who opposed it. The new entity, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, comes into being on July 1st.
