National Fire Authority (NFA) is requesting members of the community to be mindful of fire safety with the use of electrical equipment like iron to stop any fire risk in your home.

Electric irons are high-wattage devices which draws a lot of power from the circuit. Do not operate any other high-wattage devices on the same circuit as the iron. If you use an extension cord, make sure that it is rated for the same or higher amperage as the iron. Amperage information can be found in the operating manual of the iron. Always turn the iron off or to its lowest setting before plugging it in or out of an outlet. Never pull the cord to unplug an iron, always grasp the plug and pull it out.

Electric Iron fire safety tips:

Proper Use

• Always use an electric iron on an ironing board.
• Never attempt to iron or stream fabrics while they are

In this week’s Sun Shopper, the National Fire Authority (NFA) will focus on the importance of fire safety in businesses and organizations.

In all business and organizations, employees deal with fire ignition sources everyday such as dealing with electrical equipment, electrical installation and other business process and therefore it is very important that extra care is taken all the time to ensure fire safety and to prevent a fire incident from happening in the workplace and in business.

Outlined below are some fire safety tips in the business and workplaces that would prevent a fire from occurring.

Here are some fire safety tips:

• Ensure that all electrical appliances like office computers, photocopy machine, kettle, microwave and etc are switched off properly after use and more importantly before you leave the office.
• Employees, OHS representatives or appointed Fire Wardens must

Thirty-five firefighter recruits pass-out at Royal Fiji Navy’s Naval base in Togalevu today after completing eight weeks training. 

NFA Board Chairman Commander Francis Kean who was the chief guest at the pass-out parade congratulated all the recruits for successfully completing the relevant indoctrination training.

Commander Kean said that the firefighting service is an important agency in our country and the new recruits are in the business of protecting properties and saving lives.

“The risks associated with a firefighting career are demanding and challenging.

“The citizens of this country will always look up to you for unrelentness commitment to duty at all the times.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that all Fijians have accessible to an effective and efficient service and the NFA is on the path to implementing the necessary strategies to ensure that we deliver these services on behalf of the

National Fire Authority (NFA) received much needed Breathing Apparatus from the Fortitude Valley Rotary Club of Brisbane, Australia today at the NFA Head Quarters in Suva.

Fortitude Valley Rotary Club donated the equipment which included Breathing Apparatus units complete with Masks and oxygen cylinders and spare Masks and Cylinders for NFA's firefighters.

Twenty sets of breathing apparatus, twenty spare masks and forty cylinders were donated by the Fortitude Valley Rotary Club.

NFA CEO John O’Connor thanked Fortitude Valley Rotary Club for their timely donation of the equipment.

“The equipment will greatly assist NFA in its firefighting operations as such equipment is very important for effective aggressive firefighting.

Mr O’Connor said the equipment which includes the breathing apparatus and cylinders will be dispatched to all the fire stations to boost firefighting capability in all our stations.

“These

The National Fire Authority (NFA) last night averted a large disaster in an important landmark in Tamavua when aggressive firefighting from the firefighters contained a fire in the kitchen of the food outlet and prevented the fire from spreading to the MH Superfresh Supermarket, the MH Bakery, the liquor outlet and other business in the premises.

The NFA Control Room received a fire call at 2152hrs stating that MH Superfresh Supermarket was on fire and flames and smoke could be seen coming out from the roof of the supermarket.

The fire teams from Suva and Valelevu Fire Stations responded to the fire call and were at the scene at 2158hrs. When the team arrived they could see the smoke and flames coming out of the kitchen and the food court area.

Teams from Nausori and Navua were also summoned to start moving closer to the scene in case their support was needed.

The fire teams aggressively fought the fire by entering the building using breathing

National Fire Authority (NFA) attended to three separate house fire incidents from last night.

At Kikau Street in Samabula, Suva today a wooden four flat house was destroyed in a fire.

 At 1059hrs, NFA Suva Fire Station responded to the fire call and upon arrival at 1103hrs, the fire team saw the house fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters used deliveries of water from four fire trucks with the use of a nearby fire hydrant to extinguish the fire.

NFA investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.

In Tavua, quick action by the NFA Tavua fire team last night averted a major fire incident at Ralulu Street in Tavua town.

At 2211hrs, NFA Tavua firefighters responded to a fire call at Ralulu Street in Tavua and upon arrival at 2213hrs , the fire team saw smoke coming out from one of the bedroom.

Fire team entered the house after gaining entry from the front door

Candles have caused many home fires and it is very important for members of the community and home owners to take extra care with the use of candles at home.

Candle fire safety tips:

• Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where you and your family may fall asleep.
• Keep candles away from anything that can burn like curtains, settees, near beddings and any other clothing materials which can easily catch fire.
• Use candle holders that are metallic and sturdy and won’t tip over easily.
• Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down – put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.

Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle. Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach

The National Fire Authority (NFA) attended to two house fire incidents in the last 24 hours.

Last night at 2346hrs, the NFA Valelevu fire team responded to a fire call at Saqali Street in Nadera.

Upon arrival the fire teams saw the last flat of the block of the Housing Authority barracks was engulfed with smoke and flames.

Firefighters used deliveries of water from the fire trucks and fire hydrant to extinguish the fire within the flat and stopped the fire from spreading to other four flats in the same barrack.

Further, at 0727hrs this morning, the NFA Nausori fire team received another fire emergency call that a property at Davuilevu Housing was on fire.

The Nausori and Valelevu fire teams responded immediately and when they arrived they saw that the property (corrugated iron and timber lean-to house) was fully engulfed with flames and the fire had started to spread to a nearby property.

The fire