The National Fire Authority has identified a significant shortage of firefighters across the nation. Sowane Puamau, the Chief Executive Officer, indicated that with a current workforce of about 605 firefighters, a new recruitment drive is planned for later this year.
“We are set to conduct another recruitment session soon, in October. The shortage of firefighters persists nationwide,” Puamau stated.
He also noted that financial constraints limit their ability to hire as many personnel as needed.
According to Puamau, more firefighters are essential to effectively manage fire operations in key locations like Suva, Labasa, and Lautoka. “The recruitment of new firefighters is contingent upon the number of fire engines available and the size of our stations. Different categories from A to C will demand varying levels of staffing,” he explained.