024/18

Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Text
There is a need for shore-based responders to be more familiar with the unique aspects of fighting fires on board ships, so that they can provide effective responses regardless of the circumstances.

The FENZ training standards did not cover fully the special considerations for responding to shipboard fires.

On 19 September 2018 the Commission recommended to the Chief Executive Officer of FENZ that he review the FENZ training standards to ensure that they contain sufficient training in the unique aspects of fighting fires on board ships.
Reply Text
Fire and Emergency is currently reviewing its training modules for maritime incidents. This is part of Fire and Emergency's response to its newly articulated function in relation to maritime incidents, which is set out in section 12 of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017 (FENZ Act).

This includes the revision of an associated reference guide, which will be amended to better reflect the various fire extinguishment options and any existing emergency plan for a vessel.

We anticipate this work will be completed by the end of August 2019, with publication in September 2019 after final consultation and review.

Notwithstanding the above, all Fire and Emergency Officers are trained in incident command systems, dynamic risk assessments of incidents and undergo regular simulation training for incident management. These skills are applicable and utilised at a wide range of incident types.
Related Investigation(s)