National Headquarters
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
National Headquarters
Spark Central, Level 7
42-52 Wil is Street
Wel ington Central
Wel ington 6011
Phone +64 4 496 3600
Ref: 13595
9 April 2024
Alan Thompson
[FYI request #25869 email]
Tēnā koe Alan
Thank you for your request of 25 February 2024, to Fire and Emergency New Zealand requesting
information relating to wildfire fighting qualifications under the Official Information Act 1982
(OIA). We answer each aspect of your request below, noting questions 4 to 6 are not in the same
order as your initial email to us.
1. For Level 3 multi-agency wildfire incidents such as the 2024 Port Hil s Fire, what incident
management system and what version of that system is the standard for FENZ where FENZ
is the Lead Agency?
When Fire and Emergency is the lead agency, we fol ow the New Zealand Coordinated Incident
Management System (CIMS) framework – third edition.
2. What formal qualifications standards are required to hold for positions in the fol owing
Incident Management Team (IMT) for Level 3 wildfire incidents such as Port Hills 2024?
a. Incident Control er
b. Operations Manager; and
c. Planning/Intel Manager?
To qualify for the position of Incident Controller at a Level 3 Wildfire Incident, personnel must be
able to demonstrate through the attainment of New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) or
other equivalent qualification or experience such as the Coordination Incident Management
System (CIMS) Level 4, and Intermediate fire behaviour. Moreover, they should have a detailed
understanding of Fire and Emergency legislation and have prior experience as a Level 2 Incident
Controller. They should demonstrate strong leadership, team management, situational analysis,
strategic decision making, communication, and problem-solving skills.
To be considered for the positions of Operations Manager and Planning and Intelligence Manager
in the context of a Level 3 Wildfire Incident, personnel are expected to have achieved
qualifications recognised by NZQA or other equivalent qualification or experience. This includes
CIMS Level 4 and knowledge in intermediate fire behaviour.
Operations Managers are required to have achieved qualifications recognised by NZQA or other
equivalent qualification or experience pertaining to the management of ground operations,
intermediate fire behaviour, and the operation of heavy machinery. Moreover, candidates should
possess a thorough understanding of Fire and Emergency legislation, alongside proven experience
in incident management and leadership, demonstrated capabilities in leadership, tactical decision-
making, adept communication, relationship management, and problem-solving.
Planning Managers are required to have successfully completed the Level 2 Planning Managers
Course, completed their consolidation, and received sign-off from a certified Planning Manager
assessor.
3. Confirm that the FENZ staff that held these positions for the duration of the 2024 Port Hil s
fire held the required qualification standards for these senior IMT positions?
4. Confirm that FENZ personnel on the fire ground at Port Hil s 2024 in the roles of Sector
Boss, Crew Leader and Fire Fighter all held the required qualifications?
We can confirm that Fire and Emergency staff that held these positions for the Port Hills 2024 fire
held the required qualifications. The only exception to this was when some individuals were being
mentored into these roles as a development opportunity. When this applied, the mentees were
closely supervised throughout by someone with the appropriate qualification.
The Port Hills 2024 fire had numerous Incident Management Team (IMT) positions that included
urban, rural, and contractor crews working on a rotational basis over its duration. The positions
referred to in your OIA request are standard historical wildfire positions. As an example, positions
such as Sector Boss were referred to as Sector Commander in this fire incident and were held by a
mixture of urban and rural staff aligned with risk and tactical needs.
The general NZQA wildfire qualifications noted in question 5 are listed below, other staff would
have attained qualifications via the Fire and Emergency Training and Progression System (TAPS)
qualifications or pre-TAPS qualifications such as a National Diploma in Fire and Rescue Services or
a mix of pre-TAPS, TAPS and NZQA qualifications.
5. What are the minimum qualifications FENZ require for Sector Boss, Crew Leader and Fire
Fighter for a Level 3 wildfire incident?
Sector Supervisor Knowledge (Unit Standards):
(Crews and/or
•
22445 (CIMS L4) or previous 17280 (CIMS L4)
Machinery)
•
4648 (Fire behaviour L5)
•
20396 (Manage ground operations L5) or FENZ sector Supervisor
Note: At Level 2 & 3
course.
incidents it is
•
14565 (use maps L3)
recommended that
Air Operations be
Skills: Previously a Crew Leader
under the air
operations roles
Attributes:
•
Leadership
•
Tactical decision making
•
Communication and relationship
•
Problem solving
Crew Leader
Knowledge (Unit Standards):
•
3288 (safety with aircraft L3)
•
20388 (Load aircraft L3)
•
3291 (Lead a crew L4)
•
14564 (Fire behaviour L4)
•
17593 (Safe work practices L2)
•
26551, 26552 (First Aid L2) or previous 6400, 6401, 6402 (First
Aid L3)
•
4573 (Use handheld radio L2)
•
497 (Health & safety L1)
•
17279 (CIMS L2)
Optional
•
20392 (Protect & preserve scene L3)
•
14554 (Direct defensive control L5)
Skills: Previously a Firefighter & Pump Operator
Management / teamwork skills:
•
Leadership
•
Tactical decision making
•
Communication and relationships
•
Problem solving
Rural Firefighter
Knowledge (Unit Standards):
• 3285 (Personal safety L3)
• 3286 (Use hand tools L3)
• 3287 (Use water L3)
Optional
•
14555 (Carryout defensive control L3)
Skil s: On job experience
Attributes:
•
Communication and relationship
•
Working in adverse conditions
•
Participating as a team member
Please note the knowledge requirement may be demonstrated through the attainment of unit
standards or other equivalent qualifications.
6. What if any non FENZ land management agencies provided personnel who were appointed
to senior IMT positions for the 2024 Port Hil s fire and what was the number appointed to
each individual role?
For the Port Hills 2024 fire, a person from a non Fire and Emergency land management agency was
not appointed to a senior IMT position.
We trust that the information being provided is of assistance. If you require further information,
please email [FENZ request email].
Nāku noa, nā
Aidan Saunders
Manager, Information Requests
