Auckland firefighters stop using 11 modern fire trucks after pump issue

Tuesday, 10 January 2017

Auckland firefighters are refusing to use the 11 modern Fraser-MAN fire trucks in their fleet after an engine's pump lost pressure during a house blaze.

Firefighters were inside the burning house in Lawrence Cres, Manurewa on Friday when the incident happened, the Auckland Local of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters' Union said.

'The consequences could have been serious, as it meant water could not be pumped while firefighters wearing breathing apparatus carried out their overhaul,' the union said.

'Fortunately, firefighters had completed their search of the home when the flow of water reduced to a trickle.  Crews were able to safely withdraw from danger.'

READ MORE: $20m worth of new fire engines but, already, three pulled from service

It is not the first time concerns have been raised about the vehicles, with an Auckland City fire truck carrying the lifesaving jaws of life rescue equipment being blacked by firefighters last August.

In a statement on Tuesday, the union said a 'leaked' photo of the Fire Service workshop in Otahuhu showed six of the trucks 'abandoned on a concrete pad'.

'A further three, out of order, sit deserted behind the fence,' the union said.  'At the time, two remaining trucks based at Grey Lynn and Remuera Fire Stations were having to be backed up by neighbouring stations running older but demonstrably more reliable appliances.'

Auckland Local vice-president Boyd Raines said the vehicles had a 'myriad of electrical faults'. The risk to firefighters and the public was too great.

'Auckland Firefighters have completely lost faith in these Fraser-MAN appliances. The incident on Friday eroded the last vestiges of trust our members had in these vehicles.'

The Fire Service ordered 47 of the new MAN engines, with a total price tag of more than $20 million. They started entering service in early 2015.