Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Honourable Praveen Kumar, visited the National Fire Authority (NFA) today.

The Minister visited the NFA Headquarters at Walu Bay, Suva and met with the NFA Board, Management and the Staff.

The Board, Management and Staff of NFA traditionally welcomed the Honourable Minister since it was his first visit to NFA as the Minister responsible for the NFA.

The Minister was later briefed on the activities of NFA for 2014 and for next five years.

While, the Honourable Minister, thanked the Board, Management and the NFA Staff for the reforms already undertaken, he reminded the staff that the journey was just starting and that the NFA must continue to change and continue to uplift their standard of service since the Government is focused on the delivery and effective service to NFA.

The Honourable Minister also urged the Board and Management to review NFA strategies and

Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment Honourable Parveen Kumar Bala officiated as the Chief Guest during the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of the new Korovou Fire Station which is located adjacent to the existing Korovou Fulton Hogan Highways Depot in Korovou.

Honourable Mr Bala said it was the milestone and proud moment for him to officiate at the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the new Korovou Fire Station.

“This is yet another milestone and proud moment for me and the National Fire Authority (NFA) to witness this ground breaking ceremony for the construction of this first fire station to be built in Korovou.

“Three weeks ago we had the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a new fire station in Savusavu to strengthen our response in the North and I am delighted that the NFA is continuing its expansion plans into the rural areas in support of Government’s efforts towards the protection

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

Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Honourable Parveen Kumar Bala officiated as the chief guest during the National Fire Authority (NFA) ground breaking ceremony for the new Korolevu Fire Station today.

Honourable Mr Bala during his address said the new fire station in Korolevu was an important development in Korolevu.

“The Government firmly believes that fire and other emergency management services should be easily accessible to all Fijians and this fire station will enhance the provisions of such services to all Fijians in this area.

The Minister said the region of Korolevu and Coral Coast have witnessed and experienced some of the huge hotel fires like the Korovou Hotel Fire, Naviti Resort Fire, Natavora and the Warwick fire which had the devastating impact to the hotels and likewise the tourism sector in the Coral Coast.

“The Fire Teams from Sigatoka responded to these fires and by the time they arrive the fire

The National Fire Authority (NFA) is urging the members of the community to change their mindset and attitude towards fire safety and support NFA in reducing the number of fire incidents in 2015.

In spite of NFA conducting more awareness programs and getting more trucks in 2014, NFA has attended to 140 structural fires last year when compared to 120 in 2013.

“This huge increase in the number of structural fires in 2014 is a great concerned. This year NFA has set its focus in reducing the number of structural fires and in order to achieve this ambitious target, we need the support of the members of the community,” NFA CEO John O’Connor said.

“Members of the community must change their mindset and attitude towards fire safety and regard fire safety as one of their important responsibility and accountability.

“Every home owner must accept responsibility and accountability for the fire safety of their property and their family members.

“We can

Heads of the National Fire Authority (NFA) are attending the two day management workshop at the NFA Training Room in Suva.

This is the first management workshop in 2015 which also engaged in guest speakers from the public and private sector speaking on key topics on their area of expertise.

The two day workshop ends today.

It was a bizarre rescue by the team of Taveuni firefighters on May 31 as they assisted the Police to catch a thief who stole the money and valuable items belonging to a woman.

Taveuni Fire Station Acting Officer-in-Charge Kaiava Francis said they are proud to assist their community.

“We were doing our night patrol in the area when we came across a man who was acting strangely to us as he was coming from the Aroha Taveuni Beach Front hotel.

“As we were walking towards the hotel, the night attendant at the hotel came running to us and told us that the robbery took place in the hotel and a man had stole money and valuable items from a woman,”Mr. Francis said.

“The matter was reported to the Police and the next day we assisted the Police to catch that man whom we met on the road during our patrol and he confessed to the Police that he stole the money and other valuable items.

“The money and other valuable items were recovered from