MORE than 40 villagers from Vuci in Tokatoka, Tailevu have completed a three-day firefighting training program aimed at strengthening the community’s emergency response capabilities.
A total of 45 participants including elders, youths and schoolchildren attended the training organised by the National Fire Authority (NFA) at the request of the Vuci Village Disaster Committee.
Certificates were awarded to participants after the program ended on Thursday.
NFA sub-officer Epenisi Rigamoto said the training was the second phase of a community safety initiative.
“The first phase of training was a Community Fire Warden training,” he said.
“I believe this is the first such program for a local community in Fiji.”
Mr Rigamoto said villagers were trained on the initial suppression of fires before firefighters arrive at the scene. He said the response time from Nausori to Vuci Village could take between seven and 10 minutes, making community preparedness crucial.
Vuci Village Disaster Committee member Jone Ladiniwasa thanked the NFA team for conducting the training.
