New batch of fire fighters graduate

CAREERS

By NATHAN WOTI
MOST of the work you do probably gets unnoticed, but that shouldn’t disappoint you to continue do your job in protecting lives and properties of citizens which is your core mandate.
Those were the words from Minister for Defence, responsible also for disaster and emergency Win Bakri Daki at a recent fire fighters’ induction ceremony in Port Moresby.
The scorching heat of the Port Moresby sun did not stop family members, friends and invited guests to turn up for the induction ceremony for the 56 fire fighters who passed out after two months of training in Port Moresby.
Hundreds turned up to witness the occasion, including fire station commanders, heads of fire service departments and Minister for Defence Bakri Daki.
The ceremony started with a parade led by the Correctional Services band, followed by the minister’s official inspection and speeches.
Chief Fire Officer Bill Roo’s speech was short and sharp but it carried an important message about being selfless and serving to the community.
Roo commended the newly-graduated fire fighters and said that they had done well in completing the training and passing all the requirements.
“I am proud today to say that no one failed the training, and I am a happy man today to see six of the members here today are female, who have participated equally in a male-dominated field and are now graduating.”
Minister Daki was next to speak. He told the inductees that to be a fire fighter was a noble profession and one should not take it lightly.
He said that although the fire fighters did not get the recognition that they deserved, they still have to go out when the need arose and perform their tasks. He also reminded them that the certificate that they received from the training should not be used for employment only or a fortnightly salary but it must be used to serve the country.
Unlike the previous inductions, this group was different. The batch of fire fighters, who were inducted from this quarter were referred to by Chief Fire Officer Bill Roo, as “the best I have seen so far”.
This batch had set the benchmark with all 56 fire fighters who came in at the start of the training passing out without a member dropping out in the course of the two months’ training. The 56 fire fighters, seven of whom are women, had to undergo intensive training in Port Moresby, where their mind, body and skillset were put to test.
]Some of the training drills tested them mentally because they required quick reaction under immense pressure and use of certain technology to contain fires spreading and rescue people. They had used the Queensland fire fighting drills and cases over the two-month training period. The trainees were divided into two groups, Platoon 1 and Platoon 2. Each group had their own schedule of training every day for eight weeks. The trainings were put under two categories which are offensive and defensive tactics of firefighting.
Interior and exterior attacks
There are two types of attack in offensive; interior attack and exterior attack. Interior attack is basically when the fire is inside of a building, or when someone is trapped in a burning building and a rescue plan is needed. The trainees learned how to make quick planning, identifying possible escape routes, and quick exit for emergency standby. All these must be done under pressure.
Exterior attack is when the fire is outside of a building or in the open (for example, a bush fire). This attack method includes the use of very technical tools and much larger equipment such as ladders, trucks, excavators, bulldozers, fire planes and more manpower. This is common in Australia.
Though the participants did not carry out the drill, they learned the basics of doing rescues from outside of a burning house.
One of the new firemen, Dominic William said they trained on how to use surrounding environment such as trees and nearby buildings to put out fires.
The trainees learned how to use hoselines, identifying water source,s applying water pressure, ladder climbing, search and rescue, alarm reading and response, and suits for different environments.

Offensive
In the offensive, the fire department usually sends out an inspection team of experts in the field, who usually to do inspections on a building, cruise ship, truck or reservation area, to make sure it had all the required firefighting systems in place. The basic reason for that is prevention.
The other goal in offensive firefighting is to prevent the spread of fire from spreading from one area to another. The 56 trainees all underwent high level skills training in carrying out inspections as well on how to contain and manage the spread of fire in an “impact area”.
According to the trainee fire fighters, the drills in both categories were equally important and must be carried in proper manner at all times.
“That is why we have a strict policy on smoking, chewing betel nut, and consuming alcohol in this particular line of duty,” graduate fireman, William, said.
“It is important to keep a level head and make sure that your attention is always on the lookout for the fire alarm to go off,”he added.
Seven girl firemen
In a male dominated field, seven female fighters managed to stand shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts and completed the training.
This is the first time that all the women that have entered the training had not flunked or dropped out of the training.
Fire womenLovinah Kaima from Mt Hagen station, Shirley Kuman (Popondetta), Salome Pitalot (Kavieng), Eve Gene (Mt Hagen), Catherine Wapi (Kimbe), Guri Minamoa (Mt Hagen), and squad leader, Naomi Ruben (Lae) were congratulated for their effort and hardwork to successfully graduate with their male colleagues.
Minister Daki commended them for their achievement in being inducted into the fire service and said that “you must be proud because you have opened doors for many young girls in the country to follow in your footsteps”.
Daki said that he as the responsible minister would be working closely with the fire service to ensure their job is done effectively and efficiently.
“I want to let you know that I am here witnessing this event to show that we all need to be serious in the work that were are going to do.”
Meanwhile, Daki said there was a need for more men and women to join the disciplinary forces “as these are important jobs that protect and keep our society safe”.
The trainees returned to the respective fire stations as official fire fighters and are going to be on the front line fighting fire and saving lives and properties.