Work underway on new MOU with St John
Collaboration, partnership and influence is critical to how Fire and Emergency protects and preserves lives, property and the environment. Nowhere is this more evident than the relationship we have with St John Ambulance and Wellington Free Ambulance
To ensure we manage and maintain the relationships we have, and support our people to support our communities, we have started work to review the Memorandum of Understand we have with St John.
National Manager Response Capability Paul Turner says work started at the end of last year to assess elements within the existing agreement that need to be reviewed and consider what should be added. Included in the review will be our first response and enhanced first response activities.
A team has been established to coordinate the review of the current MOU and assist in developing a new MOU. Some initial feedback has also already been sought from our Medical Response Focus Group. However, the review remains in its early stages.
“We know people are interested in the review of the MOU and would like to provide feedback. We are keen to get input from our brigades and key stakeholders to inform the development of the new agreement,” Paul says.
We have already asked for feedback from key stakeholders but would be happy to receive additional input from those who have not put forward a submission.
“In the meantime, we want people to be aware that we are taking a structured, progressive approach to reviewing the existing MOU and developing a new one. This will take time.”
“It’s a very complex agreement as it covers not only how we respond, but when, what sort of response types we have and the training our people need. We don’t want to rush this as it’s important to get it right,” Paul says.
“We appreciate people are interested to know when a new MOU will be in place. We will update you all timeframes as soon as we can
The new MOU will reaffirm the commitment the two organisations have to work together to support New Zealand’s communities and meet the respective duties and functions each organisation has.
If you have anything you would like the review coordination team to know now, or you’d like to be kept informed of progress, please email engagement@fireandemergency.nz and reference St John MOU in the subject line.