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flag A 2008 fire truck’s brake failure delayed response to an Otara house fire, exposing systemic issues in New Zealand’s fire service.

flag Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is under scrutiny after a 2008 fire truck failed to respond to a house fire in Otara due to a brake malfunction, arriving seven minutes late despite firefighters being fully suited. flag The incident, linked to an aging fleet and poor maintenance, highlights ongoing systemic issues including understaffing, delayed repairs, and inadequate backup vehicles. flag The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union says FENZ’s refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations, including excluding key staff from collective agreements, worsens safety risks. flag Union members are staging protests over unsafe conditions, lack of cancer protections, and insufficient mental health support, warning that public safety is compromised daily.

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