Firefighters and rescue services around Auckland will down tools from 11am - 12pm today in their first-ever nationwide strike.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand will continue to respond to emergencies in impacted urban areas during the hour-long strike, but there may be slower response times in the city. 

FENZ stated they are understaffed and underpaid. They will meet with the Professional Fire Fighters' Union soon to try to settle the dispute. However, another strike is planned for next Friday, 26 August.

FENZ said in a statement that they may not attend less serious events like private fire alarms where there is no evidence of a fire, small rubbish fires, or animal rescues. The community is urged to phone 111 ONLY during an emergency.

If there is a fire: get out and dial 111.

DO NOT go back into the dwelling.

Other ways to prevent fire are to make sure smoke alarms are working and to plan your 3-step escape plan: plan your first escape route, plan your second escape route and finally arrange a safe meeting place.

Ways to prevent a fire:

• Keep everything at least one metre from your heater.
• Remove lint before every dryer use.
• Don’t leave cooking unattended.
• Cool ash in a metal bucket before you dispose.
• Don’t light any unnecessary fires.