Speech to Forest and Rural Fire Association of New Zealand Annual
Greetings to you all. As a relatively new Minister, I am still coming to grips with the complexity of the fire scene in New Zealand. The diversity within your association's membership illustrates this complexity. However, being a dairy farmer myself, I am not completely new to the rural fire scene. I have also served on the Horowhenua District Council for eight years, so I have some knowledge of the local government perspective.
But, as I am sure you are aware,
there is much for me to learn about the sector. I am keen to listen to
all your views and absorb as much as I can. Later this morning, on my
way to Dunedin, I will be visiting the Waimate and Weston volunteer
brigades, and that will be another opportunity to look and listen.
Timaru
I understand that climate change is a focus for your conference this year. Timaru is a topical place to hold such a conference. You have one of the more severe fire weather climates in New Zealand, and the severity is predicted to increase.
Timaru is also a good
place for me to talk about the future of rural fire management in New
Zealand. The Timaru District Council is already part of an enlarged
Rural Fire District, the South Canterbury Rural Fire Authority. I am
sure that those of you who work for this Fire Authority have experience
that will be of great assistance to the sector, as we look to encourage
the creation of more of these enlarged rural fire districts throughout
the country.
Recent rural fire events
Since the last Association conference, I note that there have been a number of deployments of rural firefighters overseas. Even at the time of the conference in August last year, there were firefighters assisting with the massive wildfires in California. And of course, this year, many New Zealand firefighters helped fight the devastating bushfire fires in Victoria.
And just today, six New Zealand fire managers are heading to Canada to help battle the wildfires in British Columbia. They will be part of a 30 strong contingent put together by Australia and New Zealand following an urgent request from the British Columbia Forest Service.
These efforts are truly impressive. Even
though the sector is built on good-will and volunteers, these
deployments demonstrate your professionalism and abilities. These are
expert teams who have internationally recognised skills and expertise
and their participation is deeply appreciated by the host nation.
These
Kiwi actions reflect well on the rural fire sector in New Zealand, and
on our country as a whole. I want to acknowledge those who put their
hands up to be part of those teams. Well done.
Sympathetic
On a somewhat more sombre note, I also want to acknowledge that there have been two local volunteer fatalities in the course of duty since the last conference: Ray Barrett from Hicks Bay in the East Cape, and Barry Keen from Willowby. My sincerest condolences go out to their families, friends and colleagues.
These deaths illustrate starkly the risks volunteer firefighters face on behalf of their communities. This is not a job for the faint-hearted. Thankfully, deaths such as these are rare. And that is due in no small part to the training and experience of the sector. However, I take this opportunity to thank all of you, whatever your role, for your continuing commitment and contribution to rural fire.
International links
I was interested to see the range of overseas speakers you have on your conference programme, including Australia. I think that it is important to maintain and strengthen, our ties across the Tasman. The entire rural fire sector gains immense value from this close cooperation. This includes lending a hand in a crisis, but also maintaining these partnerships year-round. The deployment of firefighters to Victoria that I mentioned earlier provides a great example of the links between our countries.
Our strong international links are also illustrated by our participation in multinational rural fire research initiatives. As an end user, many of you here today will be aware of the work of SCION [pronounced "sy-on"] (also known as the New Zealand Forest Research Institute) and the benefits their research has had on rural fire management.
I would like to commend SCION on their work being rated as "excellent" by an independent funding review committee. It is evident that with the essential strong end-user support in the oversight of this programme, fural fire management clearly fits into this category.
It is heartening to know that rural fire science carried out in New Zealand is considered world class. This rating helps ensure they receive quality government funding in the future. Congratulations to those involved in helping pull all of this work together.
Conference
Today I would like to acknowledge the Forest and Rural Fire Association and the conference theme "Rural Fire Management in Tomorrow's Climate."
As much as people like to argue about the causes and solutions, climate change remains a global phenomenon that is predicted to have some significant impacts on rural fire management. Many areas of the country are going to become warmer and drier, with a subsequent increase in the potential for wildfires.
The international flavour of your keynote speakers illustrates that this is an issue worldwide.
A sound risk-assessment approach means that we should plan for the possibility of extreme weather conditions becoming more common in New Zealand in the future. It is heartening to see that the lessons learned from the Victorian tragedy are being shared with the international community in a way that will benefit us all.
Climate change is likely to mean the west of the country will become wetter, the east drier, and the whole of New Zealand will become warmer and this is likely to result in higher fire risk.
Meeting the Challenge
This predicted increase in fire risks means that we need to ensure that the structure supporting rural fire management is as effective as it can be. To achieve this we need good cooperation across the sector. The uncertainty of the past has gone. You can now make the changes that are needed.
I understand that the rural fire system in New Zealand operates effectively on a very tight budget. However I am also aware that there is room for improvement in a number of key areas. Two weeks ago I attended the National Rural Fire Authority's stakeholders' meeting. There was great discussion about how improvements to the sector can be made through the voluntary amalgamation of fire authorities into larger districts.
I understand that there was good progress in finding solutions to some of the issues concerning the funding and boundaries of enlarged rural fire districts. These are conversations that need to continue, and they should include the entire sector. Everyone here should join the discussions and ensure that the momentum continues to build.
Forums such as this provide a great chance for discussion between those at the coal-face of rural fire protection, those in the government, and everyone in between. Because I favour the voluntary approach to amalgamation, you have a unique opportunity to set the direction for the future.
You have been given the opportunity to take a lead in this. But you need to make sure that any changes deliver improvements, and make things better. It is up to the rural fire sector, people such as yourselves, to make things happen.
My role
As Minister of Internal Affairs, I am indirectly responsible for rural fire through the New Zealand Fire Service Commission acting as the National Rural Fire Authority. Promoting an amalgamation framework is one of the Authority's strategic priorities for the next five years. And this is work that I support.
I can see the real benefits in reducing the number of our Fire Authorities. Having 86 rural Fire Authorities creates duplication of resources, bureaucracy, and, of course, paperwork. Small Fire Authorities merging into large districts means only one Fire Plan across an entire district.
Amalgamation should also allow resources to be used more efficiently, and allow for more specialised staff. It should allow for a greater focus on providing more professional rural fire management services. The issue of rural fire will come to the forefront in a number of places around the country. This will be to the benefit of all stakeholders, yourselves and the public alike.
The benefits of amalgamation have already been seen in areas where there are enlarged rural fire districts. And I understand that many of you are convinced of these benefits and support the concept of enlarged rural fire districts.
Future reform
As
Minister, I also need to take into account the position of the Fire
Service Commission and the various issues that it faces. This is not
only as the Rural Fire Authority, but also in its responsibilities for
governing the Fire Service.
I am well aware that the legislation has problems. Some of these problems are going to become clearer during the amalgamation process. The key problem most will face will be how to fund an enlarged rural fire district.
I
want to stress the importance of good communication between all of the
different parts of the sector. Talk to each other, talk to the Rural
Fire Authority, talk to the Department, and to me. Ensuring that we
are all on the same page. That will make the process that much easier.
Concluding Remarks
The focus on climate change at this
conference illustrates that you are looking towards the future. I
support the sector's present focus on the amalgamation process and I am
sure you can all come up with good results.
And so I wish you well for the discussions over the next few days. I am pleased to declare the 2009 Forest and Rural Fire Association of New Zealand conference ‘open'. Thank you.