Suva, Fiji – In a significant step towards building a safer and more resilient Pacific, the National Fire Authority (NFA) of Fiji and the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA) yesterday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Navua Fire Station.

This agreement marks a new chapter in regional co-operation, aimed at enhancing emergency response, fire safety, and disaster risk reduction across our island nations.

The MOU reflects a shared commitment between Fiji and Samoa to work hand-in-hand to improve fire and emergency services, not just for their own countries, but for the broader Pacific region.

It was signed in the spirit of solidarity, collaboration, and a collective responsibility to ensure our communities are better prepared and protected in the face of increasing risks from fire, natural disasters, and the growing impacts of climate change.

Driving Regional Resilience Through Partnership

Speaking at the event, NFA leadership emphasized that this partnership goes beyond formalities—it’s about building capability, sharing knowledge, and fostering mutual growth in a region where emergency response is often challenged by geography, limited resources, and extreme weather events.

“This MOU represents our commitment to standing together as Pacific neighbours—sharing knowledge, technology, and resources so we can better serve our people,” said NFA Chief Executive Officer. “Our strength lies in our unity and our ability to learn from each other.”

Key Areas of Collaboration

Under the MOU, both agencies have committed to several strategic areas of cooperation, including:

• Joint Fire Prevention Programs tailored to the Pacific context
• Community Awareness Initiatives to educate the public on fire safety
• Capacity Building and Training Exchanges to strengthen operational skills
• Sharing of Technology and Best Practices aligned with international standards
• Coordination in Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness

This agreement sets the stage for joint simulation exercises, shared firefighting equipment, and technical exchanges that will improve the overall readiness and efficiency of both authorities.

Speaking before the MoU signing, SFESA Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga described the agreement as a significant partnership.

“This signing reflects our shared values, our shared challenges and, most importantly, our shared commitment to supporting one another in building a stronger, safer and more resilient Blue Pacific,” he said.

“In a region as vast and diverse as ours, we recognise that no country can do everything alone. Disasters and emergencies do not respect borders and neither should our efforts to prepare and respond and this is why partnerships such as this are very important.

 Support from Regional Partners

The signing also acknowledged the vital role of the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance (PIEMA) in supporting this initiative. PIEMA’s continued guidance and technical support will ensure that this partnership translates into real, measurable improvements in emergency response capabilities across the region.

Looking Ahead

As the impacts of climate change continue to intensify, the need for coordinated regional emergency management has never been greater. This MOU is a proactive step forward building a stronger, more connected network of emergency services across the Pacific.

“This partnership is not just between NFA and SFESA—it is a commitment to the people we serve, to ensure their safety, to build resilient communities, and to protect lives and livelihoods across our region,” said SFESA leadership during the signing.

Commissioner Tanuvasa and his team of four other officers are in Fiji for a week and their visit will include briefings by senior NFA managers and site visits to fire stations in the Central/Eastern Division.

 

Mr Puamau Sowane

Chief Executive Officer

National Fire Authority of Fiji

 

-END-