NFA seeks more ambulance funding
“We are trying to negotiate with the Minister for Finance Biman Prasad, in terms of increasing our budget for the paramedics team,” Mr Sowane said.
Tuesday 10 June 2025 | 15:43
Updated 08 August 2025 | 15:37 FJT
National Fire Authority (NFA) Chief Executive Officer, Puamau Sowane. Photo: Asenaca Ratu
The National Fire Authority (NFA) is pushing for increased budget allocation for its paramedic teams in the upcoming 2025-2026 National Budget.
During a public consultation at Albert Park yesterday, the chief executive officer Sowane Puamau revealed he had met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad on Wednesday to discuss NFA’s budget submissions.
“We are trying to negotiate with the Minister for Finance Biman Prasad, in terms of increasing our budget for the paramedics team,” Mr Sowane said.
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Paramedic teams require special skills for evacuation of victims, particularly in road accidents, which were becoming increasingly common.
Mr Sowane highlighted the urgency of the matter by referencing two recent accidents, where NFA’s ambulance services were crucial in extracting victims.
He explained that under the National Fire Service Act, all insured vehicles should pay fire service levy, but this was not happening.
“We are working together with the ministry, and there will be another Cabinet Paper that will be rolled out,” he said.
The government provides 25 per cent contribution towards NFA’s overall operational costs, which started last financial year.
NFA responds to 49 per cent of emergencies outside established fire boundaries without collecting revenue from those areas.
The National Budget will be tabled in Parliament on June 27.
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