A Dunedin-based fire command unit lost power and had to \u2018\u2018coast\u2019\u2019 down the motorway the day before firefighters go on strike seeking better pay and equipment.<\/p>\n
New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) Dunedin secretary Mike Taylor said the command unit was deployed to a large vegetation fire in Balclutha after a third alarm was raised.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The command unit made it as far as Lookout Point Hill before losing all power and having to coast to the bottom of the hill and wait for rescue.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The command unit came to a stop in the Concord on-ramp and had to wait for a tow.<\/p>\n
SF Taylor said this was just another, real-life, example\u00a0on the \u2018\u2018lack of resilience\u2019\u2019 within Fire and Emergency New Zealand when it comes to equipment.<\/p>\n
Roslyn Station\u2019s lead fire appliance has also suffered a breakdown, and the Willowbank station was running on a 29-year-old spare truck.<\/p>\n
For months, Dunedin firefighters were operating a 39-year-old aerial appliance as their newer 28-year-old truck was out of action.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018This is just what we’re\u00a0talking about . . . this is just an example of what’s happening elsewhere in the country and why we’re striking.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Tomorrow, Dunedin firefighters would again walk off the job for one hour at midday. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Fenz and NZPFU have been locked in negotiations for a collective employment agreement for career firefighters.<\/p>\n
After multiple failures to come to an agreement, NZPFU began nationwide industrial action in August.<\/p>\n
Talks between the union and Fenz centred around health and safety concerns, ageing equipment, staffing numbers and pay.<\/p>\n
Fenz has been approached for comment.<\/p>\n