Submissions called for on Fire Services review 27 May 2015
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27 May 2015 Media Statement
Submissions called for
on Fire Services review
Proposals to improve support for volunteer, paid and rural firefighters and to ensure fire services meet community expectations are open for public feedback.
Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne has released the Fire Services Review Discussion Document and is calling for submissions over the next six weeks.
“We need every frontline firefighter we have to keep providing their essential services,” Mr Dunne said. “But we also need to better support our volunteers, to make sure we are meeting the needs of communities, and to ensure the structures behind all fire services are as efficient and effective as possible.”
“The discussion document is the government’s response to the report of the independent Fire Review Panel, which called for reform in December 2012. Since then government officials and the fire service have consulted more than 20 key organisations, and found an appetite for change,” Mr Dunne said.
The extensive consultation has identified three key problems placing our fire services under increasing pressure: changing expectations, a lack of coordination and variable leadership and inconsistent investment decisions.
“These problems mean there are health and safety issues for rural fire fighters, shortages of volunteers in some areas, unclear lines of responsibility between fire services and other agencies, and inefficiencies,” Mr Dunne said.
“The discussion document contains three options to improve the support for firefighters, better reflect local needs, and enhance the governance of fire services. It also proposes options for how to fund fire services. The funding options can be applied to any of the structural models for change.”
1. Enhanced status quo
This option focuses on
the Government’s response to the 2012 report. It does not
include additional matters that are covered in Options 2 and
3. Urban, rural and volunteer fire services would remain as
separate entities. There would be increased support for
volunteers. Rural Fire Authorities could continue to
voluntarily merge.
The mandate for the Fire Service
Commission and Rural Fire Authorities responding to non-fire
events would be clarified. The structure of the Commission
would be modernised.
2. Coordinated service
delivery
This option includes the same elements as the
enhanced status quo model, with additional changes for
volunteer and rural fire services. Volunteers and rural
firefighters would be better supported by the new fire
service, including through training and equipment. New fire
districts would be established and new Rural Fire
Authorities would be established to deliver rural fire
services. The new Rural Fire Authorities would have local
independence, backed by national support, leadership and
monitoring.
Separate organisational structures between
urban and rural fire largely remain in place; however, the
new fire service would be able to monitor, assist and
intervene if necessary. Significant legislative and
operational change would be required.
3. One
national fire service
This option would integrate urban
and rural, volunteer and career fire services into one
national organisation. All volunteer firefighters would be
in a direct relationship with the new national fire
service.
Fire stations would remain closely connected to
their communities and may be staffed by career (paid)
firefighters, volunteer firefighters, or a mix. Community
engagement and consultation would identify each station’s
needs and its role in emergencies. Local government would no
longer have a role delivering rural fire services and may no
longer have a role in funding rural fire services.
Significant legislative and operational change would be
required under this option.
The discussion document also looks at how to improve the way the Commission is funded. There are problems with the insurance-based fire levy, including that it does not reflect the range of activities the New Zealand Fire Service provides, and that it can be confusing to calculate.
The discussion document looks at two potential options to improve the fire service levy. The question of how the Commission is funded is separate from the question of how much funding the fire services receive. The cost of making any changes to the fire services will depend on which option is chosen. After consultation, detailed financial modelling will take place to work out the cost of the option chosen.
Mr Dunne said there is a clear case for change. “Problems with the existing structures are evident. We need to do more to support our volunteers, we need to ensure fire services meet community expectations, and we need to modernise the management of fire services. I urge all those with an interest in this area to read the discussion document and make a submission.”
Submissions close on 10 July 2015.
http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1505/Executive_Summary_of_Discussion_Document.docx.pdf
http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1505/QAs.pdf
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