The Labasa Fire Station will need to wait until the next fiscal year for an upgrade and the construction of a dormitory specifically for women firefighters. The need for such accommodations was identified during a meeting last year, but no progress has been made so far.
Puamau Sowane, CEO of the National Fire Authority, acknowledged that providing housing for female firefighters is an essential aspect of their expansion plans. He indicated that funds will be allocated in the upcoming year to address this need.
Currently, the National Fire Authority is concentrating on completing the Navua Fire Station, which is set to be commissioned later this month. Sowane mentioned that a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Natadola Fire Station is also in the works, alongside major renovations for the Lautoka Fire Station.
Once these projects are completed, the focus will shift back to the Labasa Fire Station with plans to develop a dormitory for female staff. Presently, the only fire stations in the Northern region with dormitory accommodations for women are located in Nabouwalu and Seaqaqa.
This gradual progression towards enhancing facilities for women firefighters represents a commitment to inclusivity and the improvement of working conditions within the National Fire Authority, which is a positive development for the region’s emergency services.
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