Lae fire service lacks assets

 THE Lae fire service is handicapped by a lack of essential fire fighting equipment to protect Government assets worth billions of kina, including significant investments from companies, the chief fire fighter says.

As of Monday, the state agency, that comes under the Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs, has one fire engine and an administration vehicle which currently in the Boroko Motors workshop. 

Lae fire service’s Chief Supt Bal Kenna and the 27 officers are currently turning up for work but instead doing weeding, cleaning and sweeping around the fire station. 

“We are not going parallel with current industrial boom in the city to cater for Government assets worth billions including significant investments by various companies. 

“We are inadequate, outpaced, outwitted and outdone,” Kenna said.

Kenna, in recent media statements, called for support from especially Lae MP Loujaya Kouza and Governor Kelly Naru as well as the  Government.

 He said it was  to ensure the fire station has adequate modern fire fighting apparatus to contain fire situations compared to the growing industrial activities.

“I anticipate ensuring Lae city has three additional fire stations located in specific industrial locations equipped with modern apparatus and officers,” he said.

The estimated number of fire cases from 2014-2015 in Lae is almost 200 but Kenna was unable to disclose the exact number of situations and causes as a report was still being done.

However, Kenna’s requests and aspirations for the city’s fire service in light of the industrial activities appears to have been futile as 2016 began with the first major incident on Jan 16 at Spey bank Street.

“Each day, buildings and shops keep rising, fish factories, ports and wharves keep expanding, roads are rehabilitated and expanded luring an influx of vehicles, fuel, oils and gas tanks are being loaded monthly which are all prone to fire anytime,” Kenna said. 

He said that the qualified Lae fire officers with specific skills to attend to any critical situation never utilised those skills fully due to lack of resources.