Six new ambulances were officially commissioned on Wednesday in a move the government says will bolster Fiji’s emergency response capacity and improve lifesaving operations in communities across the country. The handover ceremony was officiated by Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa, who described the additions as part of a sustained effort to build “a safer and more resilient nation.”
Mr Nalumisa told attendees that stronger response systems are central to community resilience. “Response systems are essential to building resilient communities and a safer nation,” he said, adding that the government’s support would extend beyond vehicles to include ongoing investment in resources, training and infrastructure. He said the commissioning represents “another important step forward in strengthening Fiji’s emergency response capability and ensuring that help reaches those in need when it matters most.”
The six ambulances are expected to enhance the operational capacity of the National Fire Authority Fiji, which provides both firefighting and pre-hospital emergency care in many parts of the country. Officials say the new vehicles will particularly help crews deliver timely emergency care and improve access to remote and hard-to-reach areas, where delays in transport can have critical consequences.
At the ceremony Minister Nalumisa paid tribute to frontline personnel, praising firefighters and paramedics for their professionalism and courage. “I would like to commend the leadership of the National Fire Authority, as well as the dedicated firefighters and paramedics who continue to serve the people of Fiji with commitment, professionalism and courage,” he said, acknowledging that their work often takes place under “challenging and dangerous conditions.”
The commissioning is the latest tangible addition to a broader government push to strengthen disaster resilience and emergency services. In recent months authorities have pursued improvements in rural connectivity for disaster response and stepped up safety and inspection programs across transport and maritime sectors — initiatives aimed at reducing response times and improving coordination when incidents occur. The ambulance handover also follows renewed public attention on road safety and emergency medical needs after a number of serious crashes and appeals for life-saving medical support.
While details such as the exact deployment locations for the new ambulances and schedules for accompanying training were not disclosed at the ceremony, Mr Nalumisa’s remarks signalled that the vehicles are part of a sustained programme. He affirmed the government will “continue to work closely with the National Fire Authority to ensure that our firefighters and paramedics are provided with the resources, training and infrastructure necessary to carry out their duties effectively.”
Officials said the commissioning marks another milestone for Fiji’s emergency services network and indicated further investments may follow as authorities assess operational needs nationwide.
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