From lighting up the world stage to now putting out fires as Naduvalo and Patterson commisioned by NFA

From lighting up the world stage to now putting out fires as National 7s reps Vuiviwa Naduvalo and Tira Wilagi Patterson were commissioned by the National Fire Authority during a ceremony at the Suva Fire Station at Walu Bay after successfully passing their promotional qualification courses.

Naduvalo is now a Qualified Firefighter (QFF), while Patterson is a Firefighter (FF).

The two undertook their promotional courses while training with the Fiji 7s team in Sigatoka before the start of the HSBC 7s series this year, but they could not be commissioned because they were busy with national 7s commitments.

Station Officer Raduva travelled to Sigatoka during the national 7s team training to conduct the promotional course, which the two passed with flying colours.

After a year’s service with NFA and on-the-job training and assessment, firefighters undergo a week’s refresher course to be confirmed as a firefighter (FF). After three years of service with the Authority, a firefighter then becomes eligible to sit for the Qualified FireFighters promotional course. This entails two weeks of theory training and practical tests, which they need to pass to qualify for promotion.

Naduvalo says he was actually cutting cane in his village when a relative, who was based at the Nadi Fire Station, encouraged him to join the Authority as they said it would open doors for me and I was initially reluctant to do so, but I’m so thankful and grateful that I took this step.”

Patterson says his work with the NFA instilled values in him that he carried to this day.