Nakasi Will Have Fire Station
Nakasi needs a fire station because the area is developing into a prime residential area, says Parveen Bala, the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development, Infrastructure and Transport. Mr Bala was speaking yesterday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Nakasi Fire Station at Adi Lady Davila Ganilau Road.
“The nearest fire station to Nakasi is the Nausori Fire Station, which is about six kilometres away, hence this new station will effectively ensure NFA’s quicker response time to fires and other emergencies to the people of Nakasi, Naulu, and the neighbouring communities,” he said. “Residents and communities of Nakasi are fortunate to have health, Police and the fire service agencies within the community.”
The National Fire Authority (NFA) has 18 fire stations located around the country.
In the Central/Eastern Division, there are seven fire stations: Suva, Valelevu, Nausori, Korovou, Levuka, Navua and Pacific Harbour. In the Western Division, there are seven: Korolevu, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki.
In the Northern Division, there are four: Labasa, Seaqaqa, Savusavu and Taveuni.
By the end of 2019, Mr Bala said the NFA expects to have 21 fire stations.
“The expansion of the fire services into the rural and heavily populated areas is in line with Government’s intent to provide every Fijian easy access to such essential services,” he said.
“The NFA is no longer only about responding to fires, but they have taken on a broader emergency management role which includes responding to emergency incidents involving Hazardous Material rescue, Road Accident Rescue, Urban Search and Rescue, flood and swift water rescue and natural disaster rescue operations.”
Mr Bala said that $1.2 million has been invested in fire stations, including a few more planned for construction.