Fire and Rescue Services proposal - speech
I'm delighted to release the proposal document today. The launch of this document represents another step in the process of developing legislation to better reflect the reality of today's fire service.
The document has been several years in the making.
My predecessor George Hawkins released the initial discussion document in 2004 and since then we have worked closely with stakeholders, including holding a workshop at Parliament. As a result of these discussions the proposals you see before you are different from earlier ideas
I'd like to thank everybody involved in the process so far.
In particular I'd like to pay tribute to the many hundreds of firefighters I have spoken to over the years, rural and urban, voluntary and paid, who have provided their feedback and ideas.
New Zealand has a world leading team of firefighters and the proposals I am releasing today will build upon our systems strengths.
Reasons for change
So why are we proposing change?
Fire services in New Zealand operate under two Acts that date from the 1970s. One Act is urban focussed and the other deals with rural fire.
This legislation is out of date and complex, resulting in gaps in coverage, varying standards, and an inability to optimise resources.
There is also a limited mandate for non-fire incidents, such as motor vehicle accidents or floods, when firefighters are increasingly attending these incidents.
This is not to say our services in New Zealand don't provide good protection overall-it's more that they succeed despite the structural arrangements!
The question we're seeking to answer here is what we want our fire services to look like in 30 years time.
New Fire and Rescue Service
These proposals would see the creation of a new Fire and Rescue Service which will have overall responsibility for the delivery of many fire and rescue services throughout New Zealand.
In many ways we have a national structure now - if you dial 111 a fire brigade will be sent. But underneath this there's a multitude of structural and funding issues which these proposals seek to correct.
The new Fire and Rescue Service will have a leadership and coordination role.
Having a national body that defines national training and operating standards is critical. We need a fire and rescue service where local brigades can work with other brigades at both the regional and national level. This means having the same training, policies and equipment.
However it will not be a top down structure. It will be based on "local delivery-central support".
Community Involvement
A key strength of fire services throughout New Zealand is the close connection with the community. As a result our fire services are highly responsive to community needs.
Services will remain strongly bedded in communities.
Local brigades with strong community support will work with statutory officers throughout the country.
Those with an interest will have the opportunity to influence fire risk planning in their region.
This already happens in places such as Southland, where firefighters work with the likes of DoC, Federated Farmers and forest owners to develop a regional fire plan. My proposal is that regional planning will be a key feature of fire management throughout New Zealand.
The new structure fits well with our approach to civil defence, and ensures local communities remain engaged in their own protection.
Fire Authorities
There was a concern that the specialist knowledge and skills of rural firefighters was not given appropriate emphasis in the earlier stages of the review.
These proposals DO recognize the unique skills and nature of rural fire fighting.
Under the proposals Fire Authorities will be retained, but with clearer responsibilities - they would only be responsible for preventing and responding to vegetation fires in their area.
While this is what Fire Authorities were originally set up to do, the reality is many now perform functions similar to their urban counterparts. However they are funded differently.
These proposals see Fire Authorities put on a better footing.
Importantly, Fire Authorities will be able to transfer their responsibilities to the national service if they choose
Funding
The mandate of Fire and Rescue Services is about much more than just fighting fires- it includes helping out in floods and storms, at hazardous substance spills and at motor crashes.
Therefore it is no longer equitable to fund all these solely from fire-insured property.
The proposal is for a new Fire and Rescue levy to be based on nearly all property that is insured against loss or damage.
This will make the funding of fire and rescue services fairer and more sustainable.
Broadening of the levy base and closing loopholes should allow the average homeowner levy payments to decrease, or at least, not to increase.
Conclusion
These proposals represent a large step forward for fire and rescue services in New Zealand.
Throughout this process the views of stakeholders have been of the utmost importance and over the next few months I will be traveling around New Zealand discussing what's in the document and encouraging people to put in submissions.
I want to keep working with you to shape the future of fire and rescue services in New Zealand
The document has been several years in the making.
My predecessor George Hawkins released the initial discussion document in 2004 and since then we have worked closely with stakeholders, including holding a workshop at Parliament. As a result of these discussions the proposals you see before you are different from earlier ideas
I'd like to thank everybody involved in the process so far.
In particular I'd like to pay tribute to the many hundreds of firefighters I have spoken to over the years, rural and urban, voluntary and paid, who have provided their feedback and ideas.
New Zealand has a world leading team of firefighters and the proposals I am releasing today will build upon our systems strengths.
Reasons for change
So why are we proposing change?
Fire services in New Zealand operate under two Acts that date from the 1970s. One Act is urban focussed and the other deals with rural fire.
This legislation is out of date and complex, resulting in gaps in coverage, varying standards, and an inability to optimise resources.
There is also a limited mandate for non-fire incidents, such as motor vehicle accidents or floods, when firefighters are increasingly attending these incidents.
This is not to say our services in New Zealand don't provide good protection overall-it's more that they succeed despite the structural arrangements!
The question we're seeking to answer here is what we want our fire services to look like in 30 years time.
New Fire and Rescue Service
These proposals would see the creation of a new Fire and Rescue Service which will have overall responsibility for the delivery of many fire and rescue services throughout New Zealand.
In many ways we have a national structure now - if you dial 111 a fire brigade will be sent. But underneath this there's a multitude of structural and funding issues which these proposals seek to correct.
The new Fire and Rescue Service will have a leadership and coordination role.
Having a national body that defines national training and operating standards is critical. We need a fire and rescue service where local brigades can work with other brigades at both the regional and national level. This means having the same training, policies and equipment.
However it will not be a top down structure. It will be based on "local delivery-central support".
Community Involvement
A key strength of fire services throughout New Zealand is the close connection with the community. As a result our fire services are highly responsive to community needs.
Services will remain strongly bedded in communities.
Local brigades with strong community support will work with statutory officers throughout the country.
Those with an interest will have the opportunity to influence fire risk planning in their region.
This already happens in places such as Southland, where firefighters work with the likes of DoC, Federated Farmers and forest owners to develop a regional fire plan. My proposal is that regional planning will be a key feature of fire management throughout New Zealand.
The new structure fits well with our approach to civil defence, and ensures local communities remain engaged in their own protection.
Fire Authorities
There was a concern that the specialist knowledge and skills of rural firefighters was not given appropriate emphasis in the earlier stages of the review.
These proposals DO recognize the unique skills and nature of rural fire fighting.
Under the proposals Fire Authorities will be retained, but with clearer responsibilities - they would only be responsible for preventing and responding to vegetation fires in their area.
While this is what Fire Authorities were originally set up to do, the reality is many now perform functions similar to their urban counterparts. However they are funded differently.
These proposals see Fire Authorities put on a better footing.
Importantly, Fire Authorities will be able to transfer their responsibilities to the national service if they choose
Funding
The mandate of Fire and Rescue Services is about much more than just fighting fires- it includes helping out in floods and storms, at hazardous substance spills and at motor crashes.
Therefore it is no longer equitable to fund all these solely from fire-insured property.
The proposal is for a new Fire and Rescue levy to be based on nearly all property that is insured against loss or damage.
This will make the funding of fire and rescue services fairer and more sustainable.
Broadening of the levy base and closing loopholes should allow the average homeowner levy payments to decrease, or at least, not to increase.
Conclusion
These proposals represent a large step forward for fire and rescue services in New Zealand.
Throughout this process the views of stakeholders have been of the utmost importance and over the next few months I will be traveling around New Zealand discussing what's in the document and encouraging people to put in submissions.
I want to keep working with you to shape the future of fire and rescue services in New Zealand