The Pitt St fire station was closed on Friday night, after an unexpected positive asbestos test. Photo: Finn Blackwell
The firefighters union is calling for an independent inquiry into asbestos exposure at Auckland's central fire station.
The station was closed on Friday, due to possible asbestos contamination, but has since re-opened, as Fire and Emergency New Zealand said further air samples had tested negative.
Dust samples originally taken from what Fire and Emergency described as an unused utility room in July returned an unexpected positive result for asbestos.
"We carried out precautionary air testing in locations agreed with experts from asbestos testing firms," FENZ deputy national commander Megan Stiffler said. "To provide additional assurance, we tested additional sites throughout the station.
"We are pleased to confirm that all these tests came back with a negative result. With testing now completed, our people can work from the station without disruptions.
"The health and safety of our people is always our utmost priority. We are continuing to work closely with staff and their representatives to ensure our people and their whānau have what they need and their welfare is being looked after."
Asbestos was found in the roof of the same station almost three years earlier, causing the station to close for tests and decontamination.
The fire station pictured on Friday night. Photo: Finn Blackwell
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) claims the building is a known "asbestos hazard".
"The union has been calling for full remediation of the site for years, but FENZ insists it had taken sufficient precautions and had protocols in place to prevent any ongoing exposure," NZPFU national secretary Wattie Watson said.
"Late last night, following testing throughout the rest of the fire station, the crews were notified of that all 16 tests had returned negative results and the firetrucks at the station were put through a deep-clean decontamination process.
"As a result of these results and decontamination, the decision was made to allow firefighters to re-occupy the fire station, and resume operational duties and response, excluding the area of the station that had shown a positive result for asbestos. This area remains locked off and restricted to entry."
Watson said the union wanted to know why it took from July until October for tests to be analysed and how the room had been cleared, when there were outstanding test results.
"Worksafe must act on FENZ's inability to properly manage any asbestos risk at Auckland City.
NZPFU national secretary Wattie Watson. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
"The NZPFU members and their families have no faith that FENZ has been acting in the interests of their health and safety, and decisions are being made solely on cost and not the risk of horrifying possible health outcomes such as asbestosis," Watson said. "The union cannot see any respite from this risk without full removal/remediation of all asbestos from the site."
The union would ask Fire and Emergency man questions over coming days, Watson said.
Fire and Emergency NZ has been approached for further comment on the union's claims. Worksafe has also been approached for comment.
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