Driver Trainers support FENZ
Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) have contracted HWR Driver Training to deliver specific vehicle familiarisation training and load security training for its incident support vehicles (ISV).
FENZ has recently placed three ISVs in its nation-wide fleet – Hino 500 series in 4X2 and 6X4 configurations. These are custom-built vehicles that were fitted with a curtain sider body and tail lift system, manufactured by Mills Tui in Rotorua, and are designed to transport emergency response gear to major incident scenes. The 4X2s are in Whangarei and Timaru, and the 6X4 in Rotorua.
Back in early 2021, FENZ were in the process of reviewing how some of its specialised driver training was delivered throughout its organisation. Later that year, HWR invited FENZ to attend an HWR Vehicle Familiarisation Track day at Teretonga. Following this and with the help of a strong relationship between Hino NZ and HWR, FENZ made the decision to deliver its driver training through the HWR Driver Training programme. The training consisted of specific vehicle familiarisation training, followed by a theory and practical training session covering the correct loading/unloading and securing of a load.
To save the cost of call backs and bringing in extra FENZ staff to cover while people were out training on the ISVs, the Driver Trainers delivered the training in real-time while FENZ staff we on rostered shifts. FENZ operates on a four-shift roster, so making sure the HWR’s Driver Trainers’ availability aligned with the rostered shifts took a lot of careful planning. Despite the occasionally call out where the fire fighters had to exit the training room to attend an emergency call, the training was well received.
Discussions around FENZ partnering with HWR on other transport-related projects are also ongoing. We look forward to working with FENZ in the years to come, keeping their emergency personnel up to date and familiar with the vehicles that can make a difference in emergency situations.