Firefighters forced to slow their response to calls for help or risk prosecution

Firefighters have been forced to slow their speed of response to emergencies or risk Police prosecution. This is the warning issued to firefighters following serious concerns around J-rated tyres fitted to fire engines – tyres that are rated for a maximum speed of 100km/hr.

Auckland Local Secretary John Waldow says “factory fitted tyres are rated for speeds up to 130km/hr (M rated); however cheaper, inferior tyres fitted to some fire engines have a maximum speed rating of just 100km/h and no safety speed margin.”

The discovery has forced the Auckland Local, who represents professional firefighters across Auckland, to instruct their members to put the brakes on.

Fire and Emergency NZ Response Driving Policy allows for firefighters who are responding to emergencies to respond at up to 105km/hr. But the Police Commercial Safety Team has issued the Union with a legal opinion laying out the consequences for firefighters who exceed the maximum speed rating of the tyres.

Consequently, fire engines responding to calls for emergencies on motorways or using the open road as response routes will be driven at slower speeds resulting in delayed arrival times.

The Union has slammed Fire and Emergency NZ, claiming the tyres are not fit for purpose and says fire bosses have not acted on health and safety concerns quickly enough. A decision they say, puts the community at risk.

“This will result in our delayed arrival to people’s emergencies. Any delay in the response of fire appliances or emergency vehicles could ultimately lead to a loss of life” says Waldow.

The Union claims this unfortunate action is due to the employer’s attempts at saving money by fitting cheaper, inferior tyres to its frontline fire appliances at the expense of the public and our employees.

ENDS

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