New Zealand Fire Services Ditch Army Support Plan Ahead of 10-Hour Strike
Fenz will rely on volunteers for the November 27 action, leaving out ladder trucks and complex rescue equipment.
By Meera Fletcher ·
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has abandoned a plan to use Defence Force firefighters in its stations ahead of a 10-hour strike by paid crews on November 27. National commander Megan Stiffler confirmed on Friday that the agency will rely primarily on volunteer firefighters to maintain coverage. This decision comes two weeks before the industrial action begins.
The agency dropped an early proposal that would have placed army personnel on fire trucks at up to 20 key stations. Stiffler explained that the Defence Force has limited capacity to assist with standard firefighting duties. Instead, Fenz is discussing engineering support from the military for scenarios involving building collapses. The agency also plans to issue safety messages to the public during the strike period.
Volunteer crews will respond to fires in areas normally covered by paid firefighters. However, they will not perform tasks outside their current training scope. This means no use of large ladder trucks for high-rise or industrial fires. Complex extrication from road crashes and chemical spill cleanup will also be unavailable during the 10-hour window. Fenz stated that these gaps in emergency response cannot be filled quickly.
The Professional Firefighters' Union and Fenz have exchanged blame regarding the strike's impact. Fenz warned that the action could have fatal consequences. David Phillips, a senior firefighter in central Auckland and union member, argued that using Defence personnel without specific training would be unsafe. He noted that volunteer crews often lack specialist equipment and are not located in the areas with the highest call volumes.
The New Zealand Defence Force said it is conducting contingency planning but has received no formal request for support. The agency will support Fenz by maintaining fire cover at its own camps and bases. If army personnel are used in unfamiliar areas or with unfamiliar equipment, they must undergo a period of familiarization training first. A contingency plan shared with volunteers mentions partner agency support but does not name the Defence Force.
Fenz has written to employers to indicate possible increased activity for their employee volunteers. No crew will attend an incident without a senior officer in support. Internal affairs minister Nicole McKee called the decision to strike reckless. She stated that a reasonable offer is currently on the table. Fenz leadership is working on a settlement, though Stiffler said there is no guarantee of an agreement by the 27th.
The agency is working with the New Zealand Defence Force, police, ambulance services, and the National Emergency Management Agency on contingency measures. Stiffler said her focus as the operations lead is on planning for the strike. The agency is exploring all potential options to keep the public as safe as possible during the industrial dispute.
