National Headquarters
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
National Headquarters
Spark Central, Level 7
42-52 Wil is Street
Wel ington Central
Wel ington 6011
Phone +64 4 496 3600
6 August 2025
Ref: 18529
Margaret Howley
FYI Website
[FYI request #31419 email]
Tēnā koe Margaret
Thank you for your request of 27 June 2025, to Fire and Emergency New Zealand requesting the
following information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
•
I am writing to ask if you have an official position on the use of raised platforms or speed
humps as traffic calming measures, used at pedestrian crossings, especially those near or
outside schools or in large intersections where there are often road traffic incidents. I ask
as it is often stated that the Emergency Services do not support their use when working
with city council ors on community roading projects to support saftey at crossings or at
busy intersections. The reason given is that they extend response times for the Emergency
Services. Is this true?
We have interpreted your request to be asking if Fire and Emergency has a position on the use of
traffic calming measures, in so far as they may impact incident response times.
Fire and Emergency supports the overall goal of safer roading networks. Traffic calming is one set
of tools that can work towards this goal, with increased response times being an occasional trade-
off. This includes vertical deflection devices such as speed humps, raised crossings, or speed
tables. Traffic calming measures are, however, only one of many factors that influence our ability
to respond to emergencies in urban environments.
Fire and Emergency leadership is proactive in working with local government and stakeholders to
ensure emergency access and response requirements in the urban environment are top of mind.
We work closely to ensure that the intervention trade-offs are wel understood and considered
when designing appropriate measures to achieve safer roading networks for our communities.
This includes undertaking research and consultation to be able to provide feedback to Councils,
Council Controlled Organisations and other agencies on plans involving traffic calming measures,
road safety and building intensification.
We trust that the information being provided is of assistance. If you require further information,
please email [FENZ request email]
Nāku noa, nā
Aidan Saunders
Manager, Information Requests
