A new independent inquiry is set to scrutinise the emergency services response in the aftermath of the February 22 Christchurch earthquake.
The inquiry comes after Christchurch fire staff questioned management over the initial 12-hour response to the disaster that claimed the lives of 185 people.
The families of earthquake victims have welcomed the inquiry.
Resident Alec Cvetanov has been calling for the Christchurch Earthquake Royal Commission to investigate emergency services after his wife died in the CTV building.
He was in contact with his wife 12 hours after the initial 6.3 magnitude quake caused the CTV building to collapse.
"We know someone is alive underneath our legs, underneath our foot, and we can't help. And we just wait and wait and wait," Cvetanov told ONE News.
Quake Families group co-chairman Brian Kennedy, whose wife Faye worked at The Clinic on the fourth floor of the CTV building, said questions needed to be answered about the emergency response.
He wants to know why the rescue efforts at the CTV building were called off after 24 hours only to resume the following day.
"Why was that? Goodness me. Overseas experience, people lasted a lot longer than 24 hours," said Kennedy.
"Things have got to be learnt from this and this is what Alec is trying to do and I think with our support we hope we can get something arranged."
The Firefighters Union has welcomed the inquiry and is willing to cooperate fully with any investigations.
"We're quite happy to fully partake in that, and quite happy to get the information that comes out the other end, whether it be adverse or praise, who knows," said union president Steve Warner.