Dispute delays upgrade of firefighting hardware

A dispute between the Fire Service and firefighters' union is delaying the upgrade of Auckland's firefighting hardware - a setback that could compromise their ability to do their jobs.

The quarrel centres around where to station a new 30m aerial appliance, which has uses including rescue operations and fighting fires in high-rise or industrial areas.

It was due to replace a 20-year-old 30m appliance in downtown Auckland two months ago. But the union rejected a proposal to relocate it to Otahuhu, and the appliance was sent to Christchurch instead.

Auckland has a second 30m appliance based in Parnell.

Union president Mike McEnaney said the appliance being replaced, though not in danger of collapsing on the job, was long overdue for retirement. "It has mechanical problems, hydraulic problems, pump problems, all sorts of things."

He said it would be pointless to relocate the new appliance away from central Auckland.

"These appliances are critical, the type you need to deploy and have set up at an early stage of an incident."

The union also took exception to a proposal to cut the number of firefighters manning the appliance from four to two.

Auckland fire region manager Brian Butt said the new appliances had a cab for two people, not four.

The fire service was still working through a process on how best to use Auckland's aerial appliances.