# Firefighter Training Report Reveals 'Beasting' Claims

> Firefighter training report cites disputed 'beasting' claims and safety gaps.
- Title: Firefighter Training Report Reveals 'Beasting' Claims · RNZ
- Summary: Firefighter training report cites disputed 'beasting' claims and safety gaps. Fire and Emergency's training report found outdated methods and safety risks…
- Keywords: firefighter training, beasting, fenz, fire and emergency, rotorua, professional firefighters union, united fire brigades association, minister brooke van velden, nfl, politics, news, Firefighter
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/emergency/2230550/firefighter-training-deficiencies-report-includes-disputed-claim-of-beasting-recruits
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-29T17:19:53+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: firefighter training, beasting, fenz, fire and emergency, rotorua, professional firefighters union, united fire brigades association, minister brooke van velden, nfl, politics, news
## Training Report Finds Deficiencies
A Fire and Emergency report revealed major flaws in firefighter training including outdated methods and unsafe learning environments.
## Disputed 'Beasting' Claim
The report cited a military-style approach called 'beasting' to belittle trainees but FENZ denied it is part of their training.
## FENZ Launches Training Reset
Fire and Emergency initiated a short training reset for new recruits and volunteers but blocked extending it to 1000+ career firefighters.
## National Training Leader Blocks Extension
Joe Stanley, national president of the Professional Firefighters' Union, said extending the reset would be 'going down the wrong path'.
## Minister Unaware of Report
Minister Brooke van Velden admitted she was not made aware of the 2025 report which shaped this year's training redesign.
## Beasting Not Confirmed
The United Fire Brigades' Association reported one case of verbal belittling but FENZ said 'beasting' was not part of their training.
## Safety Concerns Highlighted
The report cited deaths of two volunteer firefighters in Muriwai landslide and a volunteer injured by car as safety gaps.
## Training Systemic Inconsistency
The report found systemic inconsistency in training leading to variable outcomes and outdated facilities.
## FENZ's Safety Improvements
FENZ revised guidelines to embed safety concepts and now have revised safe-person and risk assessments in every practical lesson.
## Training Reset Limited Scope
FENZ's reset focuses on recruit courses but career firefighter training remains unchanged.
## FENZ Faces Pressure
FENZ's chief executive quit after Minister Brooke van Velden expressed lack of confidence in him.
## Beasting Disputed
Joe Stanley rejected the 'beasting' claim entirely, saying he has never seen any beasting in training.
## Key takeaway

Fire and Emergency's training report found outdated methods and safety risks but disputed 'beasting' claims, with FENZ launching a reset for recruits only.