Fire and Emergency received calls for 17 incidents during today’s strike
20 February 2026
Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 17 incidents between 12pm and 1pm today, Friday 20 February, the twelfth time the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.
Of these, 13 incidents were in areas impacted by the strike.
Two incidents were reports of fires at residential properties, one of which was a pot smoking on a stove and the other was a fire in a property’s roof space.
Two incidents were reports of car fires, which did not result in a fire and two incidents were reports of rubbish bin fires.
One incident was a motor vehicle crash with no rescue required. Five were fire alarms which did not result in a fire.
There was also a significant fire at Northcote College on Auckland’s North Shore.
Assistant National Commander Ron Devlin says Fire and Emergency was first notified of the fire through a fire alarm at 12.17pm.
"As part of our contingency planning to manage reduced capability during strike action, we do not dispatch crews to automatic fire alarm activations unless there are multiple activations or confirming 111 calls.
"Following a second fire alarm notification crews were dispatched at 12.19pm.
"While heading to the scene we also received a 111 call from a member of the public.
"A commander was first to arrive at the scene at 12.29pm followed by a volunteer brigade from Silverdale at 12.34pm.
"They were later joined by additional volunteer brigades and career crews arrived following the conclusion of today’s strike action.
"Students and staff were evacuated and thankfully there are no reports of any injuries. Approximately 20 crews remain at the scene, and the fire is now under control."
Ron Devlin says Fire and Emergency continues to urge the NZPFU to call off planned strikes while the process of facilitation is underway.
"I want to thank our 11,800 volunteers across the country, especially those who were called to attend events in areas impacted by the strike.
"I would also like to thank our Operational Commanders and Communication Centre Managers, who managed the response."