After a month long training, nine seasoned firefighters graduated from the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS).

They have been promoted to senior roles, after following an intensive theoretical and practical lesson plan in the past four weeks.

Mesake Nawari, Fiji Airports chief executive officer, says that their roles as firefighters are crucial due to being the first responders to all types of emergencies at airports. He also said that the same kind of training is critical and should be on-going.

He also emphasizes that one situation that cannot can’t be talked down, or negotiated with, or smother with kindness is a fire.

He added that dealing with an enemy that cannot be reasoned with nor has a conscience, is the type of enemy, that they only can deal with and no other group can deal with.

He also reiterates that on-board medical emergencies to aircraft emergencies or fires are the types of situations in which they can count on the ARFFS unit to be efficient, proficient and to possess the agility to counter.

He also noted in his address, that aviation firefighters’ roles require self-sacrifice and courage because of the simple fact that they performed their duty in, one of the most uncontrolled environments known to man, where lives are in the balance and time is of the essence.

There were firefighters from Rotuma, Labasa, Nausori and from the Nadi International Airports who have successfully completed the four-week training; They were told that their skills were important because every second mattered and the traveling public expects them to control the uncontrollable and are counting on them in their darkest hour.

In the conclusion of the event, they were also reminded of the fact that they have the sacred trust of the stakeholders, customers and staff, for this is the very essence of where their training springs from.