SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Union survey reveals firefighters were fatigued, ate 'party food'

Saturday, 9 November 2019

The firefighters union says crews who battled the SkyCity Convention Centre fire in October were fatigued, felt inadequately trained and had equipment issues.

The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union carried out a survey in the wake of the fire, which it has given to an operational review in the hopes changes will be made. 

Responses from 134 Auckland union members revealed 81 per cent felt their fatigue levels were not adequately monitored and managed.

However, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said everyone on the ground had a part to play in monitoring their own fatigue and keeping themselves and each other safe. 

**READ MORE:

* Cars still stuck in SkyCity basement, more than two weeks after fire

* Full heavy aerial appliance fleet unavailable to fight SkyCity fire

* SkyCity Convention Centre fire: FENZ rejects claim aerial firefighting fleet 'in tatters'**

Crews worked an average of 25 hours, the union said, but lacked proper meals during this time and were forced to urinate in café and public toilets in the absence of a portable ablution block. 

'Party food' was described as not sufficient enough to sustain firefighters working long shifts, while support services such as catering were lacking after donations stopped.

The survey found 69 per cent of firefighters felt they were not provided with sufficient meals or breaks. 

Firefighters were also unable to shower and wash their faces and hands before eating.

Staff rotations were noted as being 'poorly managed'.

In response, Ron Devlin, FENZ regional manager, said that 'where possible' crews were rotated every five or six hours.

He said FENZ was investigating some incidents of firefighter fatigue which had been reported through its health and safety tool. 

Crews were given meal breaks, food and water and toilets were identified for personnel to use.

A canteen unit on the scene provided hot meals to those working, he said.

'This unit is staffed by operational support volunteers who were at the scene the entire time to look after our firefighters.'

As part of FENZ's operational review, the union said the need for a portable ablution and shower block would be worth investigating for 'longer duration incidents'. 

The union's survey further found 77 per cent of firefighters felt inadequately trained to tackle firefighting operations on the roof and use aerial appliances.

On the roof, this included the use of chainsaws for ventilation. 

However, Devlin said FENZ had sufficient numbers of firefighters trained in operating aerial appliances. 

'At the SkyCity fire additional aerial appliance operators were called to duty as needed.'

Earlier, the union hit out at FENZ over its aerial fleet after Auckland's two tallest frontline fire fighting appliances were not able to immediately respond to the SkyCity fire because maintenance had fallen behind.

But FENZ fired back, rejecting claims the aerial fleet was 'in tatters', saying more of the trucks would not have changed the outcome of the fire.

Equipment issues, particularly with breathing apparatus, also served to hinder firefighters response, the union said. 

The survey also found procedures to minimise firefighters exposure to harmful smoke were not enforced. Flashhoods were noted as letting 'a lot of smoke through'. 

Joanne 'Wattie' Watson, the union's secretary, said FENZ needed to learn from the SkyCity fire and ensure any changes were 'promptly' implemented. 

'This isn't a witchhunt.' 

Devlin said FENZ, 'as with any major event', would be reviewing its response and taking any lessons into consideration. 

'We're committed to resolving any issues raised from this incident and identifying any areas which could be improved for future.'