Bettering firefighting services for Lami

The challenge of attending to fire calls in Lami during a heavy traffic peak period will be a thing of the past: PM

Responding to fire emergency calls has to be made within five minutes, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says. To achieve this, the Government is working towards placing fire stations close to where large numbers of people live and work. Mr Bainimarama made the statement while commissioning the $2.1 million Lami Fire Station and a new fire truck along the Queens Highway in Lami yesterday.

The new fire station includes a meeting room, dormitories for male and female firefighters, a fitness gym facility, office space, storage rooms and the latest in firefighting technology.

“The challenge of attending to fire calls in Lami during a heavy traffic peak period will be a thing of the past,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“The Lami Fire Station is the 20th fire station my Government has established around the country, the latest at Nakasi, which we commissioned nearly two months ago,” he said.

“This station is very important for Lami because of its growth. In its planning for service to the Lami community, the National Fire Authority (NFA) has identified its primary risk areas that are the areas that require particular attention.”

He reassured people of Lami that the future of their people and businesses were secure with the opening of the newly built fire station.

“But your firefighters in Lami cannot do it alone, they need you to help them help.

“Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility and you need to work with them to keep your community safe from destructive fire.”

NFA reports 44 structural fire for first half of 2020

Minister for Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar yesterday revealed that the authority recorded a total of 44 structural fires from January to May this year.

“There were four commercial fires during this period. This includes the major fire at the Flea Market in Suva, Gafoor Building in Rakiraki and the 40 Residential fires around Fiji,” Mrs Kumar said.

“It is sad to see that these fires have robbed the comfort and security of our fellow Fijians. The total cost of damage due to these fires are over $10 million ($10,965,000) which is alarming for a five months period.”

She said the Fijian Government and the public expected more from the authority. “For the NFA, the error tolerance limit must be zero to minimise the chances of losing life and properties from the impacts of fire, accidents and natural disaster.

“Active community engagement is part of strengthening fire awareness and ensuring proactive measures are in place before disasters occur.

“I encourage Fijians to get their homes and business checked once again by a qualified electrician and do install fire alarms.”