The Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development Honourable Premila Kumar reminded the National Fire Authority (NFA) on the need to ensure that continued improvements are brought about in the ambulance services area.
“Providing ambulance services to members of the public is another important role you play, so please do take it seriously. As you can see, you have a life-saving role and people depend on you. They depend on you to put the fire out and get them to safety and they depend on you to get them to the hospital and keep them alive. So your role is truly important.”
“In realising this, the Fijian Government has provided assistance towards the purchasing of 5 new ambulances for the National Fire Authority,” said the Minister.
In their presentation, the NFA management team briefed Honourable Kumar Minister on capital projects which are currently in progress. This include the construction of fire stations at Nakasi, Lami, Rakiraki and Nabouwalu, which will increase the number of fire stations to 22.
In addition, the NFA informed the Minister that an ambulance together with its medical equipment will be provided in Pacific Harbour. A service that was previously not provided. The ambulance, which will have rescue operations for emergency medical services, will cater for the Navua and Pacific Harbour areas and Korovisilou.
The NFA are also at the planning stages of constructing barracks for workers at Taveuni, while the new fire stations and the barracks were constructed with the assistance of the Fijian Government.
Honourable Kumar also challenged the National Fire Authority Board and management team to further reduce the response time whilst responding to a fire distress call from 10 minutes to 5 minutes, as per the 5-Year and 20-Year National Development Plan.