Alarm response policy criticised

A Fire Service callout "cost-cutting" measure could prove deadly, the firefighters union warns.

Fire Service bosses have cut back on the number of appliances responding to the first automated alarm at buildings with sprinklers, saying they want to ensure there are enough resources to cover all emergencies.

Last month, the service introduced a national policy to send only two appliances.

New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union vice-president Peter Hallett said firefighters across the country, including Christchurch and Dunedin, were disobeying the policy because they felt the "cost-cutting" measure was endangering lives.

"It's only a matter of when, not if, the implementation of this policy and the subsequent reduced fire appliance response will result in greater loss of property, increased injury or – worst-case scenario – loss of life."

Firefighters who disobeyed the policy were being threatened with disciplinary action, Hallett said.

Firefighters faced verbal and written warnings, and, ultimately, dismissal, he said. One firefighter had already been issued with a written warning, Hallett said.

However, Assistant National Commander Bill Butzbach said the decision to cut the number of appliances responding to a first alarm was based on "sound, evidence-based practice and procedures".

The policy reflected the low risk and ensured the Fire Service had more resources available to respond to genuine emergencies while firefighters were attending a false alarm, he said.

"On the rare occasion when there is a fire in a building with sprinklers, the sprinklers will extinguish it or control it until we arrive," he said.

"If other alarms in the building are activated, or 111 calls confirm a fire, then we would immediately send additional appliances.

"Officers on appliances are also empowered to request additional resources if they are needed."

Risk assessments of buildings with sprinklers had been carried out, he said. However, Hallett said the risk assessments had not been done properly, and many buildings only had partial sprinkler coverage.

Sprinkler systems did not always extinguish a fire, he said.

Previously, three appliances and an aerial appliance would be sent to a first alarm at a high-rise building, he said.

Butzbach said those "few" staff continuing to respond to the automatic alarm calls with more than two appliances were asked to explain their actions.

"Like any employer, we follow standard management procedures if an employee refuses to carry out their duties," he said.

"As part of this, it is quite proper to ask for an explanation when lawful instructions are not followed and point out the policies and procedures that the employee is bound by."

- © Fairfax NZ News