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RATU EPELI GANILAU, MINISTER FOR DEFENSE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE NEW NFA SAVUSAVU FIRE STATION ON WEDNESDAY, 20 AUGUST 2008 AT 11AM Turaga na Tui Nasavusavu Talatala Qase Nasavusavu Circuit of the Methodist Church in Fiji & Rotuma Acting Commissioner Northern Mr. Inia Seruiratu The Lord Mayor of Savusavu Town and Town Councillors Chairman and Members of the NFA Board Members of the Savusavu Business Community Invited Guests Management and Staff of the National Fire Authority Ladies and Gentlemen Ni Sa Bula and Good morning to you all. I am pleased to be here with you today to break ground for the new NFA Savusavu Fire Station. This is a special moment for me because Savusavu is like home to me as this is the town of my birth. Savusavu has been tagged as a rapidly developing town and one of Fiji’s premier tourist destinations. I am indeed delighted that the National Fire Authority is responding to Government’s Look North Policy for the enhancement of essential services and facilities to cater for the rapid economic development in the North. This township, its people, visitors and surrounding communities will soon benefit from the services that will be delivered from this new fire station. For every new development, there is history to appreciate. Let me just touch briefly on the history of this Savusavu Fire brigade. Savusavu’s Fire Brigade had very humble beginnings. It was first established in 1991 and managed by the Town Council. The station was located behind Savusavu’s market and manned by five personnel. They had few facilities and equipment, and operated by improvisation and sheer effort. In 1995, when the National Fire Authority was formed, it took over the operations of all fire brigades in Fiji and continued to operate this brigade. The brigade was to experience a number of relocations and as I understand it, in 2000 NFA moved its Savusavu operations to the Old Health Centre at Vuniyasawa only to be relocated three years later in February 2003 when the lease expired. The brigade had to contend with the Marine Checkers Office located at the wharf for two years before returning to the Old Health Centre in 2005 where it currently stands. The new development that will commence right here will be a wonderful testimony to the hard work and dedication of the Brigade’s predecessors and with the short history that I have just shared with you, you now have a better appreciation of the plight of our Savusavu Fire Brigade, and more-so the determination of NFA’s Board and Management to secure a more permanent location for its Savusavu operation. This small fire brigade has attended more than 300 fire calls since establishment and a couple of major incidents were the 1991 fire to the 11,000 volts power transformer and the well known 2007 fire that damaged several buildings in Savusavu’s central business district. Despite their limited resources and major drawbacks which were beyond their control - our brave fire-fighters managed to control these fires from completely destroying their neighbouring surrounds. NFA Fiji-wide has grown its capabilities from not only being a fire fighting service but some of our fire-fighters have also undergone extensive training and are qualified in: - Flood waters evacuation - Swift water rescue - Road accident rescue - Handling of hazardous material - And more importantly – community fire safety education and awareness. This is consistent with the new Strategic Roadmap for Fire Safety and Mitigation in Fiji which was approved by Cabinet last October. And so Ladies and Gentlemen, you now have an appreciation of NFA’s expansion of services from traditional fire fighting to include other emergency services. We are grateful to the NFA Board and Management for their foresight and leadership in considering the other emergency requirements of our communities in Fiji. I believe that fire safety is one of the foundations upon which healthy and safe communities are built. The Government of Fiji is working on many fronts to address the various needs of the people of Fiji and with its Look North Policy, Government aims to encourage more people to enter into businesses and contribute positively to the economy of the Northern Division. Government is confident that NFA’s Roadmap has set the direction and commitment to better prepare our communities against fire-related hazards, working in line with Government’s Look North Policy for the enhancement of Savusavu’s economy. To assist NFA with this objective, it is prudent to provide the best facilities for our fire-fighters. In October 2007, Fiji witnessed the opening of Sigatoka’s new Fire Station and earlier this year in May, the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of Nadi’s new Fire Station. Today we are at a new beginning for Savusavu. This is yet another milestone for NFA. The development of this new fire station marks an important step forward for our community and demonstrates the NFA’s strategic direction. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the support offered by the Methodist Church of Fiji in granting NFA a lease over 4 acres of their property to build Savusavu’s new fire station. This is a great example of stakeholder partnership in recognition of the critical nature of this essential service which will benefit the people of Savusavu and its surrounding districts. For Savusavu, this development is timely and has been designed to cater for this rapidly developing township and its neighbouring districts. The new complex that will rise at this location will greatly facilitate the work of our bold fire-fighters as they faithfully serve the people of Savusavu in the years to come. However, the true value of these facilities lies with you – the people of Savusavu. It will require all stakeholders to partner with NFA to educate and train your community on fire safety measures so that each one is well prepared for any fire before the fire-fighters arrive at the fire scene. This is very essential given the wide geographic layout of Savusavu. Your increased awareness of fire safety messages and training will enable the NFA to respond effectively at your time of need and confirms NFA’s Vision for all Fiji communities to be well prepared and supported to achieve minimal impact from fire and other emergencies. Remember – fires only produce negative impact on our communities and suppress economic growth. It is therefore prudent that each and every one of us is attuned to the fire safety and prevention messages sent out by the fire brigade. Today’s groundbreaking ceremony offers us an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the support of the private and business sector, local council and Government administrations. Your valued commitment and partnership for the safety of your beautiful community against fire hazards and other emergencies is appreciated. By working together we can help to address the fire safety issues in Savusavu’s diverse communities. In conclusion, I would like to extend my congratulations to the NFA Chairman, members of the NFA Board, Management, Staff and your families at this ground-breaking ceremony. I applaud your efforts and dedication and, together with the community, let us continue to build pathways that will contribute to a fire safe and secure nation. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I now declare this site ready for the construction of the new Savusavu Fire Station. Thank you. -End- |
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