NFA Urges Public to Report Fires, Not Film Them—Call 910 to Speed Emergency Response

The National Fire Authority (NFA) is urging the public to prioritize immediate calls to emergency services over capturing and sharing videos of fires on social media. CEO Puamau Sowane criticized the growing trend of people opting to film fires instead of reporting them, warning that such actions can lead to critical delays in emergency responses. This call to action comes after two recent fires resulted in the loss of three homes and a commercial building belonging to Auto World Trading.

Mr. Sowane emphasized that timely communication with emergency services is essential, as every minute a fire is left unchecked can significantly worsen its impact. He disclosed that the fire at Auto World was first noticed shortly after 6 AM, but the NFA did not receive the initial report until 6:38 AM. He urged the public to immediately use the toll-free emergency number, 910, upon spotting a fire.

Investigations into the recent fires revealed that the cause of the Caubati fire was a child playing with matches. This incident acts as a grim reminder of the importance of fire safety education and preventive measures to protect lives and property from fire hazards.

In past firefighting efforts, delays were further compounded by issues like low water pressure, which hampered the NFA’s ability to combat fires effectively. These challenges underscore the necessity for prompt public reporting, as highlighting such problems quickly can help streamline emergency responses and save lives.

The NFA continues to advocate for proactive engagement from the community, pushing for better awareness and communication about fire safety. By fostering a collaborative approach between emergency services and the public, there’s potential for improved response times and minimized damage in future incidents.

The importance of community vigilance cannot be overstated, and the NFA’s ongoing outreach efforts underscore this message. Residents are encouraged to not only adhere to basic safety measures to prevent fires but also to play an active role in ensuring swift and effective emergency assistance by promptly reporting any fire incidents.