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Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The union representing career firefighters says it has no confidence in the CEO of Fire and Emergency New Zealand or FENZ on the handling of sexual assault and bullying complaints.
The comments follow interviews on Nine to Noon recently with three volunteer firefighters who laid complaints of sexual assault, sexual harassment and bullying against other volunteer firefighters, which they say were met with inaction, coverup and minimisation by FENZ.
There are 14000 volunteer and 1800 paid firefighters within FENZ, and in the past six years, 21 complaints of sexual harassment were brought against volunteer firefighters, none against professionals.
The Professional Fire Fighters' Union says on the issue of culture and conduct it has no confidence in FENZ's CEO Rhys Jones or senior leadership. Kathryn speaks with National Secretary of the NZPFU Wattie Watson, and Rhys Jones.
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National Secretary of the Professional Fire Fighters' Union, Wattie Watson.