NFA partners with Queensland Fire Service to modernize Fiji's emergency response

With new fire risks on the horizon, the National Fire Authority is collaborating with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Department to transform the NFA into a more agile, technologically advanced, and better-trained emergency service.

NFA Chief Executive Officer, Puamau Sowane says over the years, Fiji has developed and expanded in many folds and new fire trends have been identified, the household contents are now different compared to 20 years ago which makes the smoke more toxic.

Sowane says three senior executive managers are currently undergoing a one-week work attachment with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Department and Queensland Ambulance Services, this will ensure that they have systems in place to mitigate and reduce those risks.

He says their Manager ICT Sisaro Yabakionosagavulu, Manager Paramedics and Health Services Seleima Tuisavuna and Station Officer National Command Centre Rokowati Crocker are all attached in their different departments.

The NFA CEO says previously, they had a long-term relationship with the Country Fire Authority and had assisted NFA Firefighters in terms of training and development which enabled our firefighters to provide specific skills such as fire investigation, structural fire safety inspection etc.

He says as the number of fire, road accident and other victims from other emergencies continue to rise, our Emergency Medical Technician’s (EMT) need to be managed well and respond correctly to all emergency calls.

Sowane says as taller buildings are now introduced in Fiji and many more will come in the next 10 years, new technologies are required to manage all emergencies with ease.

He says they are seeking to strengthen their ICT infrastructure by adopting similar systems, such as an integrated operations management system, GIS mapping, and enhanced data cybersecurity measures.

The NFA CEO says they aim to incorporate insights from QFES to modernize its operations, ensuring a more effective response to emergencies across Fiji.

He says the partnership between NFA and QFES is already showing promising results and will continue to evolve in the coming years.

Sowane says with more engagements planned, the NFA looks forward to strengthening this partnership and investing in training and capacity-building opportunities for its staff to meet the ever-growing demands of fire and emergency response services in Fiji.