Swift action from the Lautoka Fire Station staff ensures a heart patient receives timely medical assistance

The swift action from the Lautoka Fire Station staff enabled a man, who was a heart patient and amputee at Qalitu settlement, to receive timely medical attention.

The NFA is calling on members of the public to call its 910 toll-free emergency line if anyone needs rescuing, especially during the current spate of bad weather being experienced in many parts of the country.

They say it is mandated by law to carry out rescue operations in conjunction with other first responder agencies.

The Authority says the Lautoka Fire Station received a running call seeking assistance at 4.40pm on Thursday, and the on-duty team responded immediately with two fire trucks and six officers.

The call comes after firefighters rescued a man, a heart patient and amputee, at Qalitu, almost 10 kilometres from Lautoka, yesterday, after he could not cross a flooded Irish crossing.

On arrival at the scene at 5.30pm, the officers noticed an Irish crossing underwater.

NFA says the team managed to cross the bridge and transferred the man across the flooded crossing using the two-man carry technique.

They also transported the man safely to the hospital.

They say information gathered at the scene was that the man also suffered from shortness of breath while trying to cross the flooded Irish crossing on his own.

NFA Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane praised the rescue role carried out by the Authority’s firefighters and called on the public to contact 910 or their nearest fire station for any emergency rescue.

He says when the Fire Service Act 1994 was amended in 2009, functions such as Hazardous Materials Rescue (HAZMAT), Road Accident Rescue (RAR), Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Natural Disaster Rescue, Flood and Swift Water Rescue, as well as, Emergency Ambulance Services were added to the NFA’s list of roles and responsibilities.

Sowane says their people are well-trained in these rescue situations, and the public should take advantage of these services during emergencies.

The CEO assures everyone that their firefighters will provide the best of their skill set.

He adds the NFA, for its part, is continuing to build capacities among its operations staff and is forging partnerships with its overseas counterparts to upgrade the skills and experience of its firefighters.

Sowane says in times of emergency, they will be always ready.