9 Sep 2020

FENZ - safety improved at training centre since recruit burned

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 9 September 2020
Fire and Emergency NZ.

Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal

Fire and Emergency says it has made safety improvements at the National Training Centre in Rotorua, since a recruit was badly burned last February.

The trainee professional firefighter, who spoke on Nine to Noon on Monday, suffered third degree burns and blistering to both hands in the accident during a live fire training exercise because the trainer did not identify that his gloves were two sizes too small and the wrong type.

An official report into the accident found a range of shortcomings which "led to basic and fundamental safety requirements, initiatives, training and reporting lines to be inadequate". Kathryn speaks with FENZ CEO Rhys Jones.