A parliamentary committee on Tuesday flagged mounting strains on Fiji’s fire service, saying the National Fire Authority (NFA) is grappling with an ageing vehicle fleet and tight finances even as it pushes to broaden emergency coverage across the country. Iliesa Vanawalu, a member of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, presented the committee’s review of the NFA’s 2017 annual report to Parliament and warned that maintenance and procurement costs are squeezing the authority’s capacity.
Vanawalu told MPs the NFA is under pressure from the high cost of keeping older fire trucks roadworthy and from having to source specialised firefighting equipment overseas. Those extra costs, he said, weigh heavily on a service already operating within a constrained budget. “Firefighters continue to protect lives and property despite these financial limitations,” Vanawalu said as he acknowledged the work of frontline crews.
The committee’s review highlights that the NFA expanded its footprint during the review period, commissioning new stations in Korolevu, Korovou, Seaqaqa, Savusavu and Taveuni to extend emergency response into rural communities. In addition, the authority secured land for planned future stations in Keiyasi, Pacific Harbour, Navakai, Korovisilou, Levuka and Tavua — moves Vanawalu said demonstrate a concerted effort to strengthen fire response outside major towns.
The figures in the 2017 report — reiterated by the committee — show the NFA operated 18 stations with 78 vehicles and 394 staff as at July 31, 2017. Vanawalu’s presentation notes those numbers while stressing that a significant portion of the vehicle fleet is ageing, increasing maintenance burdens and the frequency of expensive overseas purchases for parts and specialised kit.
Beyond frontline operations, the committee also noted the NFA’s efforts to expand services beyond its traditional role as part of broader reforms. Vanawalu did not specify all the additional responsibilities but told Parliament the authority has been cooperating with the committee during its review. He thanked NFA officials for their assistance and acknowledged the committee members who compiled the report, which has now been tabled in Parliament for further consideration.
The review adds fresh scrutiny at a time when government agencies generally face pressure to prioritise spending amid competing national budget demands. For the NFA, the key areas the committee highlighted — modernising the vehicle fleet, reducing reliance on costly overseas procurement and completing planned stations on secured land — will be central to any discussion on future funding and reforms in Parliament.
The committee’s report will now form part of parliamentary consideration, leaving lawmakers to weigh whether additional resources or policy changes are required to ensure the NFA can maintain existing services and complete its planned expansion into rural and growing urban areas.
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