The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has voiced concerns over Auckland’s firetruck fleet, citing repeated breakdowns that are compromising emergency responses and public safety.
Union vice president Martin Campbell highlighted an incident where an Avondale station firetruck broke down mid-response on Friday night, RNZ reports.
This left the crew unable to proceed until a replacement was provided. Campbell noted that the replacement vehicle itself had failed four times in just the past week.
“When the firetrucks are breaking down on the way to calls and at calls, that’s when small fires can develop into big fires, and people’s lives can be put at risk,” Campbell told RNZ.
He also pointed to a severe shortage of relief firetrucks, essential when frontline vehicles are under maintenance. Campbell explained that Auckland only has about seven relief vehicles, many in poor condition, which is insufficient to meet demand.
On some occasions, Auckland crews have had to borrow vehicles from Wellington or volunteer stations, leaving other regions under-resourced.
The union has urged Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) to address these issues with urgency, but Campbell criticised the organisation’s slow response.
Responding to the union’s concerns, FENZ’s Auckland and Northland regional manager Ron Devlin told RNZ that the agency is committed to maintaining its fleet, which includes over 1280 fire trucks and specialist vehicles, to a high standard.
He adds that FENZ is in the process of purchasing new vehicles, including heavy aerial and Type 3 firetrucks, with the trial vehicles undergoing further adjustments before deployment.
