Changes to Fire Service legislation proposed

Changes to the Fire Service to recognise its wider rescue role and incorporate rural fire authorities are being proposed by Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker.

Mr Barker said current fire and rescue service legislation was outdated and changes were needed.

The Professional Firefighters Union has repeatedly criticised the fact that firefighters attend large numbers of car accidents, but receive no funding for such events.

The Fire Service is funded solely for fighting fires, through a levy on house insurance.

Mr Barker said proposed changes would clearly spell out the responsibility to attend non-fire emergencies.

Changes were also necessary to bring rural fire authorities, currently run through local councils, under one brigade structure.

Possible changes over the future shape and funding of the service would be the focus of a stakeholders workshop run by the Department of Internal Affairs.

- NZPA