Drink-driving among fire staff misconduct charges

Nineteen firefighters have been disciplined for misconduct in the past year, including a chief fire officer for drink driving.

Of the Fire Service's 2000 paid staff, three underwent employment disciplinary processes for having criminal convictions, which all took place outside work time, according to figures released under the Official Information Act for the period between November 2008 and November last year. None of the three was dismissed.

The chief fire officer was demoted and given a final written warning while a firefighter and a recruit were given written warnings for drink-driving and disorderly conduct respectively.

The Fire Service would not name the firefighters or stations they were based at for privacy reasons.

However, it was reported in October 2008 that Wellington District chief fire officer Jonathan Graham had lost his licence for six months and had been fined $400 after being caught drunk driving the month before.

The judge said the charge would cause him some embarrassment and it was "a possible employment issue".

Graham's breath alcohol level was 574mcg - the legal limit is 400mcg. He now works in the department of operations and training at national headquarters.

Three staffers last year were dismissed, which included two who are before the Employment Court - a firefighter for misusing property and a trainer for poor performance.

Figures were not available for misconduct among the 7500 volunteers because discipline is the responsibility of the brigade's chief fire officer. A spokeswoman for the Fire Service said staff were dismissed in "especially serious circumstances".

"The Fire Service is well aware that firefighters are role models within the community and as such expects high standards of behaviour. At the same time, the Fire Service prides itself on providing a supportive work environment.

"So, while written warnings may be given for breaches of the standards of conduct, the organisation also takes a compassionate approach, particularly in regard to long-serving staff.

"This may include assistance to help staff to address underlying causes of the behaviour."

Auckland Fire Fighters Union president Jeff McCulloch said he was aware of about half a dozen firefighters who were disciplined in the Auckland region annually.

He said it was difficult to comment on individual cases without knowing the details on each. Some issues were also before the courts which he was unable to talk about.

Several firefighters have made headlines in the past year but the information released to the Herald does not appear to relate to them.

In September, a volunteer firefighter in Kerikeri was charged with driving at a dangerous speed on his way to the station for an emergency callout.

And in November, two investigations were begun into allegations that senior firefighters had been drinking before attending a fatal fire at a Rangiora house in September. Jean Chaston, 87, died in Christchurch Hospital, after she was left in the house for up to eight minutes. The Fire Service had said it was because firefighters ran out of oxygen.