As one of Fiji’s emergency responders, the National Fire Authority (NFA) plays a significant role in our society, says Youth and Sports Minister Jese Saukuru.
He said firefighters were focused throughout the day — 24 hours daily and seven days a week to respond to the 910 emergency calls providing assistance to those who had been affected by a crisis.
Officiating at the National Fire Authority Quality Awards Mr Saukuru said firefighters would co-ordinate with other agencies in the rescue effort and manage the situation.
“Government has been monitoring with great concern the rising number of structural fires, especially residential fires,” he said.
“The rising number of fire fatalities and the increasing number of people left homeless or displaced by fires. The impact of fires on our fellow Fijians has been devastating.
“I am also reminded of the story of the 28-year-old Colase resident of Rakiraki, Sristi Naicker, who was rescued by NFA firefighters and police officers during the height of flooding on January 9th last year.
“Sristi was experiencing labour pains during the flooding and the NFA team, led by sub officer Filimoni Nabati of Rakiraki Fire Station, with the help of police officers, safely took her through flood waters using the bottom half of a water tank to Rakiraki Hospital, where she safely delivered her baby girl.
“In another incident during the same flooding emergency, another pregnant woman was safely delivered by NFA firefighters from Votua Village to Nailaga across the flooded Ba River and on to the hospital.
“These are events that the Government and all Fijians are thankful for and deeply appreciate and this is why we are here tonight to thank our firefighters and fire officers and to reward those of you who continuously and consistently live and breathe your motto ‘Always Ready’.”
