New callout policy upsets firefighters

A New Zealand Fire Service decision to send fewer fire engines to callouts at large sprinklered buildings is "shortsighted" and a threat to firefighters and the public, says the national firefighters' union.

It says the move ignores the risk of faulty sprinkler systems.

"Unconfirmed emergencies" or suspected false alarms that come from schools, shopping complexes and a small number of rest homes are now to be sent two fire engines instead of four as previously.

Fire Service national commander Mike Hall said the buildings targeted had been assessed as low risk and were equipped with an automated alarm and sprinkler system. The move would also cause less traffic congestion.

But New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union vice-president and Hamilton senior station officer Peter Hallett said a small fire in Centre Place on Friday night could have been worse if union members had not ignored the directive and sent its usual four fire engines. Sending four engines meant one was stationed on each street the shopping mall borders, including one stationed just metres from the fire in Just Cuts hair salon.

"Had the senior station officer not increased the appliance response ... there would have been no appliance stationed anywhere near where the fire was."

Mr Hallett said schools, including Hamilton Boys' and Girls' High, Founders Theatre, Centre Place, Westfield Chartwell and Farmers on Anglesea St were just a few large buildings now to receive the reduced response.

"I have genuine concerns about our safety, the public's safety and the building safety and these concerns are shared throughout the country and the Fire Service need to listen to them."

But Mr Hall said Friday's Centre Place fire showed exactly why the new response should be used. "Two appliances, with eight firefighters would have been more than enough to deal with a fire that wasn't big enough to even activate the sprinkler," he said.

Mr Hall said almost all alarm activations in sprinklered buildings were false alarms or extinguished by sprinkler systems before an appliance arrived.

"The standardised response improves public safety by ensuring several appliances are not tied up at a false alarm or a small fire when another call comes in."

Waikato fire area manager Roy Breeze said every 10th call-out came at a time when firefighters were already attending an event – often investigating a false alarm.

"The changed response means we have more appliances available to quickly respond to these new emergencies."

- © Fairfax NZ News