FENZ complaints system neither independent, nor fair: Union
The Professional Fire Fighters Union says Fire and Emergency's complaints system is neither independent, nor fair. FENZ has apologised unreservedly to a former volunteer firefighter for failing to properly investigate a series of complaints, which began nearly a decade ago. A scathing 111 page independent report by Simon Mount KC, issued yesterday, details a list of 33 failings by FENZ in handling her initial complaint and several after that. These include failure to comply with its own processes, conflicts of interest, and unreasonable delays, and a failure to learn from at least two previous, highly critical external reviews. FENZ Chief Executive & National Commander Kerry Gregory says significant changes to how complaints are managed have been made including introducing an independent service that specialises in conflict resolution and complaint management. He says the complaints service puts people at the heart of the investigation and is robust and transparent. But the Professional Firefighters Union, which represents more than two thousand paid firefighters, disagrees. Union Secretary Wattie Watson joins Susie.
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