New fire trucks pulled after cracks found, Auckland stations 'right on the limit'

Thursday, 28 November 2019

Fire trucks ready to be inspected at Prestige Diesel & Marine in Ōtāhuhu on Thursday.

About nine new fire trucks have been pulled from service after cracks were found in the steel bodywork supports, sources say.

One experienced firefighter in Auckland says the removal of the relatively new trucks from service leaves city stations under the pump.

But Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) said it would not affect firefighting as the organisation was moving trucks around the country to ensure coverage.

Speaking exclusively to Stuff on condition of anonymity, the source said it would place significant pressure on Auckland firefighting resources.

**READ MORE:

Fire trucks new and old in Ōtāhuhu on Thursday afternoon. A MAN appliance can be seen at the centre.

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

* Auckland lacks life-saving firefighting aerial trucks, union warns

A MAN fire engine belonging to Parnell Station bearing the old Fire Service logo (file photo).

* Auckland firefighters stop using 11 modern fire trucks after pump issue

* Christchurch fire engine blacklisted due to faulty parts* Firefighters' Union blacklists Auckland's lead fire truck due to safety concerns**

At the time of the SkyCity fire Auckland's newest aerial appliance was removed from service due to cracks in its chassis (file photo).

Stations from which the new trucks were removed would rely on older 'relief appliances', the source said.

'It's going to leave some stations relying on trucks from the 1990s. It's far from ideal.'

About 10 relatively new MAN fire trucks have been removed from service after cracks were found in their chassis, sources say (file photo).

Another senior Auckland firefighting source, also not authorised to talk to media, confirmed those comments.

He added that some of the relief trucks brought in to cover those removed from professional stations may come from volunteer brigades.

The fire at the SkyCity convention centre started on Tuesday afternoon.

A Stuff photographer said several trucks could be seen on Thursday parked around the back of a south Auckland diesel mechanic, with several more parked outside a nearby fire station.

Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) organisational strategy and capability deputy chief executive Russell Wood said cracks were first discovered in one MAN Type 3 truck during a certificate of compliance inspection.

'They are in the steel structure that provides support to the bodywork. These cracks haven't raised any safety issues for the public or our personnel,' he said.

'Since discovering the issue we have prioritised getting all appliances into our service providers' workshops to inspect for cracks.'

All trucks with cracks would be taken off the road and repaired, he said.

There were 'no response issues for any of our communities' while the trucks were out of service for assessment and, if needed, repair, he said.

'We have a process for ensuring trucks are available to provide cover when vehicles are unavailable due to servicing.

'We are moving trucks around the country as required to ensure there is sufficient coverage.'

The 47 new MAN engines began entering service in 2015.

The source said of those, about 50-60 per cent nationwide were caught up in emerging concerns about cracked chassis.

When the SkyCity fire erupted on October 22, Auckland's newest aerial unit – a truck with a tall ladder, like a cherry picker – was under repair due to cracks in the chassis.

In the wake of the fire, a well-placed source told Stuff Auckland's aerial fleet was 'in tatters'.

The fire could have had a much different outcome if more were available, the source said.

The comments were strongly rejected by FENZ regional manager Ron Devlin.

He said more aerial appliances would not have changed the outcome of the fire.