FENZ fiasco

The Post reports:

The draft report said the most significant example in a pattern of incorrect information from FENZ was about 30 MAN fire trucks bought in 2019 after a cold-call sales pitch. There was no procurement or competitive process for the purchase.

They purchased 30 fire trucks on the basis of a cold call sales pitch? My God. The salesperson definitely earnt their commission, but how could you do such a large purchase without a tender or competitive process?

In December 2024, the majority were apparently in operation. By February 2025, FENZ confirmed none were operational and were not expected to be delivered until September that year. By January 2026 the committee was told 14 were handed over and staff were undergoing training. Then, in March, it was confirmed none were operational and the first 16 were expected to be in operation by the end of the financial year.

“None of the 30 appliances were in operational service during this inquiry, nearly seven years after the MAN cab and chassis units were purchased,” the report said.

So once again we seem to have a government entity that can’t tell the truth to Parliament.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to understand what is intentional misinformation, and what is unintended errors due to FENZ representatives not fully knowing or understanding their own organisation,” a draft committee opinion said.

So the choice is incompetence or malice, or both!