‘NFA can run on its own revenue’

CEO: Plans to build eight more fire stations

THE National Fire Authority (NFA) has acquired land to build eight new fire stations around Fiji, said chief executive officer Puamau Sowane.

He made the comments while responding to a question from the Standing Committee on Social Affairs that reviewed the NFA’s 2015 annual report.

“The authority has acquired lands for future establishments like Namelimeli in Navua, Naitonitoni in Navua, Korovisilou in Serua, Vunidawa in Naitasiri, Keyasi in Navosa, Nayavu in Wainibuka, Navakai in Nadi and Kabisi near Natadola,” said Mr Sowane.

“There are also areas that NFA had identified but yet to be acquired like Matei in Taveuni, Dreketi in Macuata and a few others.”

Mr Sowane said they had certain criteria in place to serve rural communities.

“Extensions outside the fire boundaries areas (rural) can only be made if expansions outside the municipal council require the service provided by the Authority.”

“The authority has the required

THE National Fire Authority (NFA) says it has an annual income of $20 million and can run on its own from revenue generated from its services - but will need capital grants to build new fire stations, said CEO Puamau Sowane.

He made the comments while responding to a question from the Standing Committee on Social Affairs that reviewed the NFA’s 2015 annual report.

He said the NFA receives revenue from five areas that includes insurance companies’ contribution under the Insurance Policy Levy Order 1995, levy on water meters supported by the Levy on Water Meter Order 1995, states contribution, payment of expenses where properly is uninsured and fees under the capacity to meet those needs if fire services are required.”

He said the NFA had trained 405

Structural Fire Safety Department (National Fire Service (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2003.

“The revenue streams currently encompassed in the legislative framework of the authority adequately provides for the financial sustainability of the Operations of the authority,” said Mr Sowane.

“The authority has been able to sustain its operations through its current revenue streams with assistance from government grants for the Emergency Ambulance Services. In the long run for infrastructure development and asset replacement plan, the authority would require government funding for capital projects.

“An annual capital grant of $2.5m to $3m would enable the authority to achieve its capital investment program as stated above.”

community fire wardens. “They have volunteered their time to undergo fire safety training to learn the