24 villagers from Navuso in Naitasiri have graduated under the National Fire Authority’s Community Fire Wardens program and will be involved in preventing fire from happening in their village and surroundings.
Speaking at the graduation event, Assistant Roko Tui Naitasiri, Jona Navunitaria says the village wardens had a duty and a key role in ensuring the timely delivery of NFA services.
Navunitaria says NFA is playing a vital role in the government because it is an emergency organisation that deals with people and their livelihoods.
Navunitaria is also urging the new fire wardens to be mindful of fire safety at home and to practise fire safety with their family members and the community.
He is also reminding them that they must adhere to the values of courage, honesty, respect, teamwork, and loyalty before self.
NFA Chief Fire Officer, Qionilau Moceitai says fire wardens have a very important role in the village and it will require their dedication, commitment and loyalty to carry out their work.
He says with the knowledge they have gained, they will be able to identify fire hazards and correct them or make recommendations to the house owner for rectification, monitor all recommendations made and make sure that they are rectified immediately or otherwise discuss it in their village meeting.
Moceitai is also reminding them that whenever a tropical cyclone or flood is affecting the village, their role is to give early warnings and evacuate villagers at the right time.
The Chief Fire Officer says all findings that are regarded as risks in a house or the village should be discussed in village meetings and if needed, they must be raised with Nakasi Fire Station so that it can be rectified.
He adds the NFA officers will visit their village every three months to conduct refresher training or follow-ups and to address any issue that may arise.
