Purpose 

The purpose of this circular is to release the draft NRFA Minimum Standards for Assessing Fire Hazards and Achieving Timely Responses to Fires for stakeholder review and feedback.

Background

The Fire Service Act (1975) requires that the NRFA set, in consultation with Fire Authorities, minimum standards for Fire Authorities in relation to assessing fire hazards (part 14(2)(k)(iv)). and achieving timely responses to fires (part 14(2)(k)(ii)).

The National Rural Fire Advisory Committee was consulted at the 15 June 2009 meeting in Nelson, and has indicated its support for the draft Standards in principle.

The draft Standards were also presented to the Regional Rural Fire Committee Chairpersons Conference (16-17 June 2009) in Nelson and initial feedback from a workshop session was gathered from conference attendees.

Consultation Process

The NRFA has now prepared a consultation paper for wider stakeholder review and feedback.

Submissions of feedback should be made using the feedback form template provided (below).

Submissions can be emailed to the National Rural Fire Officer, or posted to the National Rural Fire Authority at PO Box 2133, Wellington by Friday 21st August 2009.

Timelines

The table below describes the key activities and milestones in the consultation process and indicative timing:

Regards

Murray Dudfield

National Rural Fire Officer

Feedback Form Template 

You feedback should include the following information:

1. RFA or stakeholder group name
2. Name of contact person for the submission
3. Contact details for the contact person (email, phone)
4. Description of feedback - feedback may include:
1. Issues
2. Suggestions for changes
3. Identification of parts that require clarification.

Circular 2009/06

Consultation Paper Draft Standards