The National Fire Authority (NFA) received a new Scania Multipurpose Fire Truck from the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment Parveen Kumar at the NFA Headquarters in Suva today.

The Scania Fire Truck being the first Fire Truck of this type purchased by the NFA was handed over to the NFA during the handing over ceremony.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment Parveen Kumar said he is delighted to hand over the specialized Scania Multipurpose Fire Trucks to the National Fire Authority.

“The purchase of the Multipurpose Fire Trucks is an important Government funded project for the people of this nation.

“We recognize that a key enabling agent to realize this expectation is the need for capital improvements to infrastructure, vehicles and equipment and my Ministry is particularly delighted with this purchase because for the first time in the history of NFA, we have been able to purchase this new Multipurpose Scania Fire Truck,” Mr Kumar said.

“In the past, NFA had purchased second hand fire trucks to complement its fleet and the purchase of this new Multipurpose fire trucks marks the start of the modernization of the NFA Fleet which will further enhance NFA capacity to respond effectively and efficiently to fires and other emergency. In addition to this Multipurpose Fire Truck, NFA has already invested in the purchase of a new 25 meter ladder tanker which is expected to arrive in the first quarter 2015. There are also plans to purchase such multipurpose fire trucks and ladder trucks for the West and North.

The purchase of such specialized fire and ladder trucks will allow NFA to respond effectively to oil, chemical and high rise building fires.

This new Multipurpose Fire Truck was purchased from Frazer Fire Ltd, NZ at a cost of F$800,000. The truck is fitted with the latest available fire fighting technologies and has a 4000 litre water capacity, 1000 litre foam capacity and is also installed with the latest road accident rescue equipments. It has a monitor installed on top of the truck which will allow for effective oil, chemical and other related fires. The truck also has a monitor in front of the truck which can be used for property and vehicle fires. Mr Kumar added that the Government and his Ministry will continue to provide an enabling environment that will support the National Fire Authority to achieve its full potential in delivering an efficient and effective emergency response and rescue service for fire, ambulance and other emergencies. As Minister responsible for the Fire Service we are constantly monitoring such government funded projects to ensure that these funds are well used and continue to keep our communities and environment safe from fire emergencies,” Mr Kumar added.