Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111
Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency received calls for 19 incidents during today’s strike

Fire and Emergency received calls for 19 incidents during today’s strike

23 March 2026

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 19 incidents between 12pm and 1pm today, Monday 23 March, the twenty-first time the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.

Of the 19 incidents, 10 were in areas impacted by the strike.

Eight were false alarms, one was a motor vehicle accident, and one a vegetation fire.

“Fire and Emergency remains committed to achieving a fair and sustainable settlement so we can continue working to keep communities safe,” says Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler.

“Fire and Emergency’s most recent offer compares favourably with other public sector settlements and would deliver a 6.2 percent pay increase by November 2027, at a cost of $32.7 million through to July 2028.

“By comparison, the NZPFU’s settlement proposal came to approximately $120 million over the same period. That is not financially realistic at a time where we are reducing staffing levels in other areas of the organisation and when we also have to keep investing in the trucks and equipment our people need to do their jobs safely.

“We continue to call on the NZPFU to call off these reckless strikes while we remain in discussions to progress negotiations. It is irresponsible to put the community at risk while we work to resolve this dispute.

“We acknowledge and appreciate the dedication of the volunteers, Operational Commanders and Communication Centre Managers who manage the strike responses, and today, this included New Zealand Defence Force personnel at Linton who attended the vegetation fire.

“We remind the public that emergency responses will be delayed when strike action takes place,” says Megan Stiffler. 

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