Rising Risks: How Climate Change is Challenging Emergency Services

The demand for emergency services in the public sector is rising significantly due to the increasing frequency of natural disasters, according to Rosalia Valeova, a senior technical officer at the Ministry of Employment. Speaking at a recent workshop in Suva organized by the Fiji Public Service Association on climate change capacity building and its strategic plan, Valeova highlighted the increased risks and hazards linked to environmental degradation, which primarily affect vulnerable workers.

Valeova noted that public services are facing heightened demands for emergency responses due to more frequent occurrences of wildfires, hurricanes, and floods. Consequently, there is a notable increase in healthcare workers and NGO staff mobilizing on-site during these disasters. She emphasized that maintaining safe and healthy working conditions is crucial and depends on the stability of the environment.

The officer also pointed out that exposure to poor water and air quality could lead to illnesses among first responder civil servants. Moreover, the threat of food contamination raises the risk of serious health issues, including cancer, while extreme heat waves pose significant dangers to outdoor workers.

Valeova advocated for public employment programs and job retraining to address job displacements caused by climate impacts, underscoring the human aspect of these climate change issues. She stressed the importance of investing in health and safety training for public service personnel to better equip them for these challenges.

This acknowledgment of the challenges faced by emergency responders serves as a call to action for improved support and resources. The growing recognition of these issues offers hope for the establishment of better training and safety measures, which can ultimately strengthen the resilience of both workers and communities in the face of climate change.

Overall, it’s a crucial step forward to understand and address the impacts of climate change on public service workers, paving the way for more proactive measures to enhance their safety and effectiveness in emergency situations.