THE public in Savusavu have lauded the idea by the National Fire Authority (NFA) to establish a new fire academy in its newly opened station.
Yaroi villager Torika Uluiviti said this would open up employment opportunities for youths in Savusavu and surrounding areas.
Ms Uluiviti said the news had been well received, adding it would get in other developments into Savusavu Town.
Savusavu Town resident Maika Namudu shared the same sentiments, adding the new academy would boost the knowledge of fire officers in the North and boost their services.
Mr Namudu said for a town which had experienced a few worst fire scenarios, the message was heartening because this would mean the provision of machineries in the station would benefit the people.
Officiating at the opening of the new fire station in Savusavu yesterday, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama revealed there were future plans to develop this site, including a fire academy to further enhance the provision of essential services in the Northern Division. Mr Bainiamrama also announced that two new ambulances were in order for delivery to NFA later this year and one of these ambulances would be assigned to the Savusavu Fire Station for the provision of emergency ambulance services in the area.
The NFA is expected to continue its expansion plans into another 11 areas, namely Navua, Deuba, Sigatoka, Ba, Rakiraki, Korovou, Nadi, Lautoka, Savusavu, Labasa and Taveuni, while some stations would be upgraded.
The facility has a conference room, a control room, a fitness gym facility, office space, various storage rooms and, a first of its kind in Fiji — a Fireman’s Pole — that is supposed to enable the firefighters to slide down quickly from their dormitory located at the top floor, for quick access to the fire trucks in the engine bay when responding to a fire or emergency alarm.
