George Stephens spent part of yesterday talking to a disabilities workshop for the Asian community about fire safety. Then the senior fire risk management officer met caregivers to talk about fire safety plans in homes for children in care.
The 25-year veteran of firefighting is a legendary figure in fire prevention and education.
Mr Stephens is one of seven fire safety managers and officers in Auckland told there is no equivalent position for them in the proposed structure.
While some roles will be centralised, fire risk management will be devolved from regional headquarters to area offices, Mr Stephens understands. This raises the fear that "staff who are busy doing other things will be instructed to do some of this stuff", he says.
He sees his role as one of building strategic partnerships with organisations and says fire risk management has made important gains in the northern region, such as 100 per cent take-up of the Get Firewise programme in schools.
