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North Shore residents' lives and properties are being put at risk by a "ludicrous" rotation of fire crews, the firefighters union claimed last night.
Athol Conway, vice-president of the Professional Firefighters Union, said he had "serious concerns" for public safety over the rotation, designed as a temporary measure to help to cover the Rodney/Orewa district.
The Devonport crew was at the East Coast Bays station when a fire broke out at a sleepout in Belmont on Monday.
A crew from Takapuna went to fight that blaze. When it emerged that they would be there for a while, the Devonport crew was sent from East Coast Bays to cover for colleagues at Takapuna.
"This is an extremely serious risk to public safety," said Mr Conway. "Not only is public safety and ratepayers' and residents' property in jeopardy, but so too is firefighters' safety because of management's ludicrous decisions."
But the Fire Service rejected the claims last night, insisting lives were not being put at risk.
Cliff Mears, assistant commander (fire safety) for Auckland, said there were 30 fire engines throughout the region and they were moved around as and when needed.
There has been a problem for the past 18 months over manning the Silverdale station as the union refuses to let its members serve there.
North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams said he would seek a meeting with fire chiefs to sort out the issue.
