Jerry Nacagilevu, 27, received the Best Firefighter Award during the Nausori Fire Station Excellence Awards night at Tanoa Plaza Hotel in Suva last Friday.

Mr Nacagilevu, of Ekubu Village, Vatulele, has been working as a firefighter in Nausori since 2013. He lives at Makoi, Nasinu.

“I never expected to get this award because some of my workmates are better than me,” Mr Nacagilevu said.

He became a fire officer after working as a supervisor for Solander Pacific Limited at Walu Bay, Suva.

“I am proud to be a firefighter and most of the work I do involves helping people.

“My journey of being a firefighter has been very exciting and I am so thankful to the Lord for this achievement,” he said.

Mr Nacagilevu said he was inspired by his workmates because they sacrificed a lot of their time to help people during emergencies.

“Sometime it is very difficult to see families losing everything in a fire. I get a lot of support from my family members. They pray for me when I am working and especially when I am out helping to fight a fire.”

 He advised young people to work hard.