A firefighter says it's a possibility holiday-goers needing rescue could face delays - this summer

Last year, a teen was left clinging to a cliff in Coromandel's Hahei - for hours, when Police refused to send a helicopter rescue team.

They mistakenly thought she was dead - and wanted to avoid unnecessary cost.

The Professional Firefighters Union's Martin Campbell says he can't be sure similar things won't happen again.

He says this issue is creating delays and confusion among frontline staff - and Fire and Emergency and Police management need to solve it.