Union firm that fire trucks stay outside

The New Zealand Professional Firefighters' Union is holding firm on its call for all fire trucks to be kept out of stations without extraction systems for fear they could harm the health of its members.

The union said diesel fumes building up in the stations could cause ill health and, until extraction units were fitted, all vehicles are to be kept outdoors.

Fifteen fire stations throughout the country have been required to park their vehicles outdoors.

That decision has come under attack from Fire Service Southland area manager Brendan Nally, who called the decision ludicrous because the service had made a commitment to do the work and there was no need for the union's stance.

He told The Southland Times on Monday there was no evidence the fumes were harmful.

But union president Steve Warner was unapologetic about its position.

Even with the assurance from the Fire Service that the 15 outstanding stations would be equipped with systems within six months, the union would not back down until the work was complete, he said. "It doesn't stop the danger to our members."

Overseas studies backed the union's claim diesel fumes over time could be harmful, he said.

"The service had long enough to do the work and we won't back down."

The union probably unnecessarily exposed members to more fumes waiting for the Fire Service to agree to install the systems, he said.

He believed the position was well supported by union members, he said. "And we are putting their health first."

Fire Service East Otago area manager Dave Seque has backed his southern counterpart's call that the ban is unnecessary.

Fire trucks at the Mosgiel and Dunedin Central stations are being stored outside.

The Labour Department was not involved in the issue and, if it did become involved, the same measures could apply to other workplaces and almost every mechanics' workshop would need extraction systems, too, Mr Seque said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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