Emergency Dispatch Centres

Rodney Parsons made this Official Information request to Matt Doocey

Currently waiting for a response from Matt Doocey, they must respond promptly and normally no later than November 29, 2024 (details and exceptions).

From: Rodney Parsons

November 02, 2024

Dear Matt Doocey,

We understand that emergency dispatch centers are high-risk environments with several occupational hazards that may not be covered by ACC. These risks include post-traumatic stress injuries, hearing impairments, and sleep disorders, often arising from acoustic shock, high noise levels, and high-stress cultures within these settings.

Could you please confirm whether ACC does indeed exclude these conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, from coverage? Additionally, please provide a breakdown of the number of related claims received and the number of claims declined by ACC over the past year. We also request any advice that ACC has issued to organizations operating these centers within the same period.

Furthermore, we seek information on any actions taken by ACC or WorkSafe to mitigate these occupational risks in emergency dispatch centers. Specifically, we would like to understand the advice, policies, and monitoring processes both agencies have implemented to ensure that Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) are actively safeguarding workers in the high-risk environments of police, fire, ambulance, and central dispatch centers (such as Spark).

Lastly, please provide minutes or records of any executive or board-level discussions that pertain to decisions regarding the funding of these conditions, the implementation (or lack thereof) of preventative or monitoring programs, and claims related to injuries sustained by emergency dispatch operators.

Yours faithfully,

Rodney Parsons

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From: Matthew Doocey (MIN)
Matt Doocey

November 02, 2024

Please note that this acknowledgement is an automatically generated email.

Thank you for contacting Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for ACC, Minister for
Mental Health, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Minister for Youth,
Associate Minister of Health and Associate Minister of Transport.

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Ngā mihi,

Office of Hon Matt Doocey

Minister for ACC | Minister for Mental Health | Minister for Tourism and
Hospitality | Minister for Youth | Associate Minister of Health |
Associate Minister of Transport.

Freepost: Private Bag 18 888 |Parliament Buildings |Wellington 6011

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Link to this

From: Matthew Doocey (MIN)
Matt Doocey

November 03, 2024

Dear Rodney,

Thank you for your email of 2/11/2024 in which you submitted an Official Information Act request as follows:

" We understand that emergency dispatch centers are high-risk environments with several occupational hazards that may not be covered by ACC. These risks include post-traumatic stress injuries, hearing impairments, and sleep disorders, often arising from acoustic shock, high noise levels, and high-stress cultures within these settings.

Could you please confirm whether ACC does indeed exclude these conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, from coverage? Additionally, please provide a breakdown of the number of related claims received and the number of claims declined by ACC over the past year. We also request any advice that ACC has issued to organizations operating these centers within the same period.

Furthermore, we seek information on any actions taken by ACC or WorkSafe to mitigate these occupational risks in emergency dispatch centers. Specifically, we would like to understand the advice, policies, and monitoring processes both agencies have implemented to ensure that Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) are actively safeguarding workers in the high-risk environments of police, fire, ambulance, and central dispatch centers (such as Spark).

Lastly, please provide minutes or records of any executive or board-level discussions that pertain to decisions regarding the funding of these conditions, the implementation (or lack thereof) of preventative or monitoring programs, and claims related to injuries sustained by emergency dispatch operators."

Minister Doocey is considering your request in accordance with the Act, and you can expect a response by 29/11/2024.

Yours sincerely

Office of Hon Matt Doocey
Minister for ACC | Minister for Mental Health | Minister for Tourism and Hospitality | Minister for Youth |
Associate Minister of Health | Associate Minister of Transport

DDI: 04 817 6812
Email: [Matt Doocey request email] Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

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