The Search and Rescue (SAR) Marshalls Training marked another milestone in the SAR operations in Fiji with the commencement of the Phase 2 training of SAR Marshalls for 50 village headmen.
The 3 day training organised by the Ministry of Defence and National Security is in partnership with the Ministry of Itaukei Affairs to empower village headmen to become SAR Marshalls and assist in the rapid notification of missing persons as well as assist with the initial searches of those missing at sea.
Government has recognized the need to refocus SAR efforts in Fiji with more emphasis being placed on the first responders and community leaders such as the Turaga Ni Koro.
The role of the SAR Marshall is to verify information when a MISPER report is received at the Village and then transmit this information to the Fiji Rescue Coordination Centre and the Fiji Police with minimal delay. Following this the SAR Marshall will establish a coordination point and undertake initial searches for the missing persons as the RCC coordinates and deployed additional resources from Police, Navy and allied vessels and aircraft.
The Government is mindful that mounting SAR operations is a costly exercise which an average of about FJ$40,000 per mission, especially when deploying Navy patrol boats and aircraft.
The program is being supported by the Fiji Navy, Fiji Police Force, Fiji Airports, National Fire Authority, VFR Fiji, National Disaster Management Office, Pacific Community (SPC), Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), Life Flight Fiji and the Pacific Islands Emergency management Alliance.
The training is a lead up to the 2019 SAR Roadshow that will be held in Lautoka on the 11th and 12th of April.
The three day community training ends today.