A rewarding ride despite the challenges
ONE can only imagine the feeling of being one of the longest serving female officers and authorised ambulance and brigade drivers in the National Fire Authority (NFA) of Fiji.
Few females have had the privilege, but for Rokowati Crocker who hails from Mokani, Bau Tailevu with maternal links in Galoa, Lekutu in Bua it has been quite a ride.
She is the station officer at the NFA Command Centre in Suva and has been part of the NFA for almost 16 years.
She is the first female senior officer of that rank in the NFA.
Her journey first began when she attended a recruitment drive in 2008. It was through this that she went through the various stages of training including the physical assessment and aptitude test and an interview followed by a three-month recruitment in Tailevu.
Her time behind the wheel first began in primary school from watching her uncles drive the village carrier and her cousins hiring rental cars.
She then obtained her licence in 2009 and now has over 15 years of driving experience under her belt.
After successfully going through the requirements and training, her time at NFA began to bloom but it was no easy feat for a female.
Rokowati shares what made her eager to learn to be a brigade driver.
"When I first responded to a fire call in 2008, how the driver controlled the big red truck, with the beacon and sirens on, impressed me.
“How the driver maneuvered the truck in the busy city of Suva safely, that day inspired me," she said.
Rokowati who is now an authorised ambulance officer and brigade driver says the ride has been challenging but enjoyable.
She has learned a lot since.
"These include emergency response driving, learning to navigate through traffic and intersections safely while responding to emergencies with lights and sirens, ensuring a rapid and efficient arrival at the incident scene.”
She has also developed a keen sense of the dimensions of vehicles, especially when manoeuvring through tight spaces.
Rokowati now knows how to valuate potential hazards and adapt driving strategies to ensure safety of both the crew and the public during emergency responses.
She understands specific features, controls and capabilities of fire trucks, including specialised equipment and how it is operated.
She has developed communication skills, strong navigation skills in locating incidents, alternative routes, shortest routes and boundary knowledge as well as vehicle maintenance awareness. She has also shared the requirements needed to be an ambulance and brigade driver.
"To become an ambulance driver, one needs to be a Group 2 licence holder and be authorised by the authority, with assessment conducted by our Fleet Department.
“One needs to hold a group six drivers’ licence to become an authorised brigade driver by the authority.
“Assessment is done by assessors on driving and manoeuvring skills and pump operation."
She also shared some of the challenges she faced for the past 15 years.
"The physical nature of firefighting, regular fitness training and participating in strength building exercises can assist in meeting the physical demands of being a firefighter,” she said.
Rokowati said cultural biases can have a negative impact on women in a male dominant workforce, but advocating on diversity and inclusion, and excelling in the service helps break down these barriers.
However, through it all she has managed to find ways to overcome these challenges.
"Continuous training and skill development, advocacy for inclusion and more community engagement, helps me in this area."
The experience so far has been great for Rokowati. "Well for me as a female firefighter with 16 years of experience in a male dominated workforce, my journey has been both - challenging and rewarding.
“Despite being in this male dominated profession, I have proven my capabilities through hard work, dedication, commitment, and continuous learning which has contributed so much to the expansion of my skills and knowledge.
“Being an authorised ambulance and fire truck driver adds another dimension to my role, contributing significantly to emergency response efforts in saving the lives and properties of our beloved nation.
“Each day presents new opportunities to serve the community, to serve the country and break down barriers, and I am proud to continue paving the way for diversity and inclusion in the firefighting profession,” she said.
Rokowati also shared a word of advice with the hope of encouraging youths to join the NFA.
"Joining the NFA is a noble endeavour that requires dedication and commitment. Prepare thoroughly, both physically and mentally, stay focussed, work hard and care deeply about what you believe in,” she shared.