The Chief Executive Officer of the National Fire Authority (NFA), Puamau Sowane, has concluded biennial inspections of 19 fire stations across the Central/Eastern, Western, and Northern Divisions. The inspections are nearly complete, with only the Levuka and Taveuni stations remaining; Levuka was assessed this morning.
Last week, Mr. Sowane performed thorough evaluations of fire stations in Korolevu, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Nabouwalu, Seaqaqa, Labasa, and Savusavu.
During the inspections, Mr. Sowane was joined by a high-level team that included the Chief Fire Officer, Manager of Legal and International Affairs, Manager of Fire Safety Compliance and Properties, Manager of Risk & Audit, and the Station Officer for Standards & Discipline. Together, they focused on key areas such as station cleanliness, compliance with OSHA regulations, and the NFA’s 5S principles which emphasize productivity and organization within the workplace.
Mr. Sowane underscored the importance of strict adherence to disciplinary guidelines and the necessity of passing Required Fitness Level (RFL) examinations. He also highlighted the significance of continuous education and professional development for NFA members, encouraging them to achieve certification as fire engineers with the UK-based Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE).
In a notable aspect of his visit, Mr. Sowane expressed a desire to address the current need for licensed local fire engineers. He urged officers to pursue postsecondary education, noting that the NFA supports these efforts by granting paid full-time study leave to at least three employees currently enrolled in higher education programs, reinforcing the NFA’s commitment to ongoing learning.
The NFA’s Human Resources Policy has recently been revised, and Mr. Sowane provided officers with an overview of how these changes might impact their roles and responsibilities. He reiterated the NFA’s strategic objective to reduce structural fires by 5% annually, emphasizing its importance to the organization’s mission.
During each station visit, Mr. Sowane took time to answer officers’ queries and address any concerns. He concluded his tour by expressing gratitude to all officers for their unwavering dedication and service, which he stated is fundamental to the NFA’s success in safeguarding communities throughout Fiji.