The National Fire Authority (NFA) of Fiji is seeking to expand its service boundaries for the first time in nearly three decades, a response to the country’s significant urban and economic growth. Chief Executive Puamau Sowane expressed concern that many businesses and communities are currently outside the fire levy system established in 1995, yet they depend heavily on the NFA for emergency response services.
Sowane highlighted that the current fire boundaries are outdated and do not reflect the reality of Fiji’s rapidly evolving landscape, leading to gaps in coverage and funding that could jeopardize effective fire protection. “Since 1995, there have been numerous developments beyond the original fire boundary, and the economic zone has significantly expanded,” Sowane stated. He stressed the need for the government to adjust these boundaries to account for businesses and services that are not contributing to the fire service levy.
Currently, properties within designated fire boundaries are mandated to pay the fire levy, which funds the NFA’s operations. However, the NFA has been increasingly called upon to respond to emergencies that arise in new districts and residential areas outside these boundaries. With the anticipated increase in demand for services, Sowane insists it is vital to update the boundaries to ensure the NFA has the resources necessary to provide effective responses.
In conjunction with these proposed changes, the NFA is conducting public consultations to gather community feedback, with the next session scheduled to take place at the Labasa Civic Centre next Tuesday. This initiative not only encourages community engagement but also reflects a commitment to ensuring that public safety measures are equitable and responsive to the needs of all communities.
Past reports on the NFA indicate that the authority is undergoing various enhancements to support its growing mandate, including infrastructure improvements and developing new training programs for firefighters, which align with their objectives for better service delivery. Overall, these efforts point towards a future of improved fire safety and enhanced emergency preparedness across Fiji.
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