PNG Fire Service celebrates 50 years

The National Weekender

By DAVID GEORGE
IT is not often that the Papua New Guinea Fire Service gets praised in public but last Friday, Dec 15, was a totally different story for the organization.
Fire officers including three pioneer female members accompanied by police personnel from Bomana Police College and the famous Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary band marched through Downtown’s Champion Parade commencing from the old Post Office building to the Port Moresby fire station. It was a spectacular sight and a momentous occasion which attracted a crowd and lots of cheering from the public.
Family members of servicemen, office workers in their buildings and those loitering around the car park area, who witnessed the parade were mesmerized and captivated by the well-groomed uniformed officers from the Fire Service and RPNGC, who braved the morning heat for the march.
The parade was the highlight of the PNG Fire Service’s 50th anniversary and was held at the historic Town Fire Station, now a national heritage site as declared by Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, Governor-General of Papua New Guinea and Commandant of the PNG Fire Service during the occasion.
The parade and motorcade did not just bring out the pride and joy of the Fire Service’s serving members and those of ex- servicemen, but in a sense was a show of force, giving the people who witnessed the historical event, peace of mind and confidence in the PNG Fire Service and what is expected to come from the organisation in the next 50 years.
Sir Bob, who officiated at the ceremony and looked distinguished in his colonial PNG Fire Service uniform used the occasion to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of the firemen and women while urging the serving members to reflect back on the legacy left behind by the fire service’s founding fathers.
“Today, however, we would like to publicly acknowledge the great services of our ex-servicemen and their dedication to God, Queen and Country. We are fortunate to celebrate with some of our retirees and ex-servicemen and I would like to mention a few of them in the likes of former station commander John Charlie, former chief fire officers; Mathew Taso, Olswald Arisa and Isaac Silas.
“Many servicemen have passed on, but they live in our memories, their stories are still alive with us and part of the fire service heritage. We celebrate also with the current serving members of the service, those who are continuing the journey and the good fight,” Sir Bob continued.
He also highlighted the need for the organization as a whole to not just talk about the good things that have come to pass for the fire service in the last 50 years but the need to readdress the organisation’s weaknesses and shortfalls over these years.
“We have had so many challenges in the last five decades, today our fire station (Town Fire station) still looks the same but it is surrounded by many more apartments and high rise buildings.
“The fire service has been trying to catch up with the rest of the development and the development of the urban and rural population but we are still far behind.
“I would like to ask us to ponder on some soul searching questions, especially to our serving members, have we taken this service to another level since our founding fathers? Are we meeting the expectations of the community, business and Government?
“Of course we must not write about our performance but also recognise our failings and ask ourselves where we have failed and what we will do in the next 50 years to lift our game.
“Firefighters must remember that there is no other greater calling then laying down your life for another when duty calls. We are here to save our Queen, our people, our community despite all the challenges and changes that are taking place in our country. We are our people’s servants,” the Governor General said.
Minister for Inter Government Relations Kevin Isifu shared similar sentiments and encouraged stakeholders and partners to support the Fire Service build and improve
its capacity.
“As Minister responsible for the PNG Fire Service, I am proud to share this momentous occasion and I would like to see the Fire Service reformed into a modern fire service and expand its services to other parts of the country where there is no fire service presence at the moment.
“Through successive years, it has continued to provide fire safety and rescue services within the city and designated towns in the country since its establishment in 1968,” Isifu said.
He said that the support of stakeholders and partners was vital to improve and build the fire service’s capacity to take on emerging roles and challenges that are currently being posed by the rapid infrastructure development in the country.
He also assured the business community that his ministry and the Government is willing to work with them, international partners and the Fire Service to improve and build a modern entity over the next 50 years.
He also paid tribute to past, and current serving members of the PNG Fire Service as well as acting Chief Fire Officer Bill Roo.
“This is why we are all gathered here today to celebrate their legacy and to commemorate the PNG Fire Service’s historic milestone in achieving its 50th anniversary.
“And where more fitting to have the occasion celebrated and hosted then right here where it all started for the Fire Service at this historical place, the Port Moresby Fire Station, which was built during the colonial era,” Isifu continued.
The PNG Fire Service has been moved several times between portfolios , from; RPNGC, Works, Civil Aviation, Prime Minister’s office and NEC, and since August 2008 under the Inter Government Relations Ministry.

  • David George is PR officer at PNG Fire Service.