The Government keeps finding money, just not for Firefighters

OPINION: The Government was quick to celebrate new investments in ambulance services and Customs. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello described it as a “big day” for frontline workers. But for firefighters, it was just another reminder that they remain at the bottom of the Government’s priority list.

No one disputes that ambulance services deserve investment. Nobody is arguing that Customs should go without the resources needed to protect New Zealand’s borders. Both perform vital functions and both need proper funding. The problem is that while ministers continue rolling out announcement after announcement for various agencies throwing away millions and billions, firefighters appear to have been forgotten.

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Image: Firefighters display “Fire Crisis” and “Fire Fighter Strike” banners during strike action in Greerton, Tauranga, as the pay dispute continues. (Courtesy of New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union)

Firefighters are the men and women who run towards burning buildings. They respond to serious crashes, medical emergencies, hazardous substance incidents, floods, storms and natural disasters. In many communities they are among the first people to arrive when lives are on the line. Despite the critical role they play, firefighters continue to watch on the side as funding priorities are directed elsewhere.

While ministers celebrate fresh spending in other areas, concerns about ageing equipment, unreliable fire trucks and long-standing funding pressures remain unresolved.

Praising frontline workers is easy. Backing them with meaningful investment is what actually matters.

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The Government talks frequently about supporting frontline workers and the phrase has become a favourite political propaganda slogan. But if frontline workers truly matter, then firefighters should be at the centre of that conversation, not permanently waiting while other agencies receive the attention.

Image: New MAN Angloco Type 3 fire appliance equipped with advanced electronic pressure control and multi-point pump operation, pictured during Fire and Emergency New Zealand training exercises. (Supplied / Angelus Parker)

What makes the situation even more frustrating is that firefighters are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for recognition of the reality they face every day. Increasing demand, growing emergency workloads and mounting pressures on the services they provide have become recurring themes across the sector.

Instead, government ministers continue standing behind podiums announcing funding for the already funded agencies except the life savers who routinely put themselves in danger to protect New Zealanders.

Image: Winston Peters is seen alongside Casey Costello and Simeon Brown during a Hato Hone St John funding announcement as the Government ramps up frontline spending promises in an election cycle, while firefighters continue waiting for overdue investment in ageing fire appliances. (Supplied / New Zealand First)

At some point, the Government needs to answer a simple question: why do firefighters keep missing out?

Every funding decision sends a message about priorities and right now, the message being sent is that there always seems to be money available for something else. The Government’s priorities appear absolutely scattered across multiple agencies and initiatives, but firefighters are nowhere to be seen.

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That is deeply disappointing. After so many funding announcements elsewhere, the continued lack of action is becoming impossible to explain and risks looking like a slap in the face to firefighters across the country.

Image: A Fire and Emergency appliance sits broken down in the middle of the Greenlane and Manukau Road intersection in Auckland after breaking down, leaving the crew unable to respond to incidents. (Courtesy of New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union)

If government ministers genuinely value frontline workers, then firefighters deserve more than praise when disaster strikes. They deserve to see that support reflected in the Government’s spending decisions.

Every new funding announcement for other services will only reinforce the growing perception that firefighters have been left behind.

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