The Fiji Police Force is preparing the public in Suva for a significant mock search and rescue exercise set to occur on Saturday, 15 November 2025, from 8 am to 1 pm. This operation involves an extensive collaboration among various emergency services and law enforcement agencies, along with maritime stakeholders, and aims to evaluate their coordinated response capabilities during a large-scale maritime incident.
Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations, Kasiano Vusonilawe, highlighted the importance of this exercise, emphasizing that it is part of ongoing national preparedness initiatives. The exercise is designed to enhance real-time coordination between first responders, ensuring that they are well-equipped to tackle emergencies effectively.
“Community members may observe an increased number of emergency vehicles in the area throughout the morning. We kindly ask everyone to stay calm, as these activities are part of a planned exercise,” ACP Vusonilawe stated.
Given that the exercise coincides with a busy shopping day, the police have confirmed that traffic officers will be deployed to key routes in order to facilitate vehicle movement and minimize disruptions. Vusonilawe assured the public that measures are in place to ensure that the exercise causes as little inconvenience as possible.
The implementation of this mock search and rescue drill underlines the commitment of the Government and emergency stakeholders to maintain a state of readiness. It aims to boost communication systems and improve response efficiency in maritime emergencies.
Residents and business owners in the Suva area are encouraged to stay alert during the exercise and adhere to any instructions provided by the on-duty officers. This proactive approach not only strengthens community safety but also reinforces the importance of cooperation between police and residents, a theme that echoes in recent operations conducted by the Fiji Police, aimed at promoting safety awareness ahead of the festive season.
With ongoing efforts to enhance public safety, the exercise serves as a hopeful reminder of the unified commitment towards safeguarding the community during both everyday activities and potential emergencies.
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