Source: Radio New Zealand
The proposed changes at FENZ would be the biggest in 8 years. RNZ / Alexander Robertson
The union for volunteer firefighters says a restructure at Fire and Emergency (FENZ) poses a “tremendous human cost”.
FENZ is proposing to cut at least 140 non-firefighter jobs and scrap its regional structure in its biggest overhaul since it was set up in 2017.
The United Fire Brigades’ Association said “We understand there is a tremendous human cost to this proposed change so will be looking carefully at the proposal and will be making a submission through the Fire and Emergency consultation process.”
It encouraged its membership of 14,000 to give feedback, it said in a statement on Monday.
The association last year put out a report calling for more investment in volunteer firefighters, suggesting they were “hidden in plain sight”.
Hundreds of fire brigades are volunteer or hybrid volunteer-paid ones.
A change proposal document sets out to disestablish a raft of positions and set up new ones.
For instance, it showed eight of 13 roles in recruitment, including of volunteers, slated to go, but a new lead role for supporting volunteers coming in.
Training for volunteers would also be separated from that for career firefighters, with three new roles for managing volunteer training proposed.
“Dedicated teams for career and volunteer personnel are proposed to provide focused oversight and ensure consistency in quality,” it said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand