The Chief Executive Officer of the National Fire Authority (NFA), Puamau Sowane, has completed his biennial inspections of 19 fire stations across the Central/Eastern, Western, and Northern Divisions. The inspections wrapped up with the evaluation of Levuka and Taveuni stations, with Levuka being examined recently.
Last week, Sowane conducted thorough inspections at fire stations in Korolevu, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Nabouwalu, Seaqaqa, Labasa, and Savusavu. He focused on several key areas alongside a senior team, which included the Chief Fire Officer and various managers responsible for legal affairs, safety compliance, and risk audit.
Key inspection points included cleanliness levels, adherence to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, and the implementation of the NFA’s 5S principles, which emphasize productivity and organization in the workplace. Sowane underscored the importance of strict adherence to disciplinary guidelines and the necessity of passing Required Fitness Level (RFL) exams.
He called for continuous education and professional development for NFA members, encouraging them to become certified fire engineers through the UK-based Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE), addressing the current demand for licensed local fire engineers.
Sowane urged officers to pursue higher education, highlighting the Authority’s support in the form of full-time study leave with pay for at least three employees currently enrolled in educational programs, aligning with the NFA’s commitment to ongoing learning.
Recent amendments to the NFA’s Human Resources Policy were also communicated to the officers, clarifying how these changes might impact their responsibilities. Sowane reiterated the NFA’s strategic goal of reducing structure fires by 5% annually, a critical objective for the organization.
During his visits, he made sure to engage with the officers, answering their questions and addressing any concerns. He concluded his tour by expressing gratitude to all officers for their unwavering dedication and service, which he credited as fundamental to the NFA’s success in safeguarding communities throughout Fiji.