Review of Fire and Rescue Services

A review of the Fire and Rescue Services has been underway for some time through a review of the fire legislation. The most recent fire services consultation document was "New Fire Legislation - a framework for New Zealand's fire and rescue services and their funding" (April 2007). A fundamental part of that document's proposals involved a new service (the Fire and Rescue Service) which would replace the existing NZ Fire Service Commission and the National Rural Fire Authority. The proposals would significantly alter the responsibility for Fire Authorities to only preventing and responding to vegetation fires in their area.

 

Local Government New Zealand had a number of concerns with the proposal and prepared a position statement - suggestions for moving forward as a response in June 2008. 

 

Since then we have been advised that the Minister, Hon Dr Richard Worth, does not intend to progress the previous Government's proposal to merge urban and rural fire services.  This news is well received as it was always the Local Government New Zealand  view that  major change to existing structures; functions; and systems of fire organisations was not necessary.  The Minister's approach is to focus in the interim on encouraging rural fire authorities to merge into larger structures with consequent increases in resources and capability.

 

Local Government New Zealand  supports this interim approach and will continue to stay involved as Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) officials develop the specific policy details to ensure we get the best outcome for the sector. 

 


Last updated: August 2008