Firefighters' union at odds with its bosses at FENZ over Loafers Lodge fire

Firefighters and their bosses at Fire and Emergency New Zealand are at loggerheads over the way they dealt with the fatal Loafers Lodge blaze.

FENZ on Thursday claimed crews had everything they needed to respond, but firefighters themselves say the equipment let them down.

As investigators examine a mass homicide scene, questions around the response intensify.

"I've asked you here today because I'm seeing many questions coming through about Fire and Emergency's fleet and capability and capacity to respond to incidents," said FENZ chief executive Kerry Gregory in Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington on Thursday.

FENZ was keen to control the message, and at one stage its media manager attempted to shut down a flurry of questions about ageing gear and vehicles - and how that affected Tuesday's response.

"Look, we have other people wanting to ask questions," the media manager said.

"Sorry guys - I think you keep asking the same questions over and over. I think we've probably said enough," she added.

At least six people lost their lives in the early-morning fire at the four-storey building on Adelaide Road in Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington.
At least six people lost their lives in the early-morning fire at the four-storey building on Adelaide Road in Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington. Photo credit: Newshub.

Gregory conceded on Thursday that firefighters at the Loafers Lodge scene had expressed concern about equipment issues, but they stuck largely to the same song sheet.

"I can assure you Fire and Emergency had enough crews and specialist appliances to respond to the Newtown fire," he told reporters.

Newshub understands that's not quite case, because Newtown fire station's 32-metre ladder truck remained parked in the garage at the station.

Ian Wright, who's president of the Professional Firefighters Union/Te Kāhui Kaipatuahi, has called out those claims.

"I think there are things that Mr Gregory said that need to be responded to. The public need to know," he said.

Ian Wright, president of the NZPFU: New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union/Te Kāhui Kaipatuahi o Aotearoa.
Ian Wright, president of the NZPFU: New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union/Te Kāhui Kaipatuahi o Aotearoa. Photo credit: Newshub.

The Firefighters Union has stayed out of the media since the Loafers blaze, but broke its silence on Thursday after hearing the comments from FENZ.

"We don’t want to get into the what-ifs ... The investigation will, in the fullness of time, bring out the truth," said Wright.

"However, when statements are being made in the press that are untrue, then we need to call them."

Wright argued having the Newtown truck would've given more options to fight the blaze.

It's unclear whether it would've saved lives, but he says it did impact tactics and decisions.

"Firefighters are just tired of second-hand equipment and unreliable equipment - it plays on the firefighter's mind," he told Newshub.

No one doubts their efforts, or their bravery, in responding to this, but even those on the ground concede things could've been better.