Specialised training
A MEETING to strengthen Fiji Police Force (FPF) first responders’ work in technical and humanitarian responses was held with Australian humanitarian response agency RedR Australia on Thursday.
In a statement, police said the meeting was held to look at how the two organisations could collaborate on specialised training aimed at benefiting both Fiji and the region.
RedR Australia is the implementing partner of the Australia Assists program which is the Australian Government’s humanitarian civilian deployment program and leading international humanitarian response agency that trains and deploys technical specialists.
The statement said discussions were held on identifying and training trainers for quality humanitarian responses and the potential engagement with the emergency casualty care and tactical response emergency team within the Fiji Police Force.
RedR HEAT training coordinator Warren Johnston and the Pacific regional coordinator,
Penaia Kautia, met FPF manager regional foreign cooperation Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ulaiasi Tamanisau, and inspectors Marica Veibete, George Mar and Saimoni Bebenisala.
ASP Tamanisau said the police commissioner was fully supportive of all opportunities available to train Fijian officers who would then share the knowledge gained to their regional law enforcement partners under the Pacific Centre of Law Enforcement Cooperation regional body.
Mr Johnston said RedR was about providing experience-based learning where participants put their skills and newly acquired knowledge into practice.
An Essentials of Humanitarian Practice training facilitated by RedR is expected to be conducted in September in Nadi.