Probe Begins On Fire Party

Firefighters involved in a drinking party at the new Lami Fire Station last weekend have been suspended.

Some have also been sent on leave while an investigation is conducted which could possibly lead to termination.

National Fire Authority chairperson John O’Connor confirmed that a report was made to him personally regarding the incident.

He then instructed the authority executive members to look into the incident and subsequently those firefighters involved in the party were suspended and an investigation carried out.

He said the authority was an important service and such actions at one of its fire stations would not be tolerated.

He was expecting a report on the matter soon to be submitted to the board by the executive members.

At this point, it is unclear if alcohol or consumption of kava was involved during the incident and how many firefighters were involved.

While this matter is being dealt with by the authority and the board awaits the results, it is believed that in another incident it was discovered that some firefighters had been operating authority vehicles without driving licences or expired licences.

The vehicles in question were not fire trucks but normal vehicles like the four wheel drives given to stations.

This discovery was made after a National Fire Authority vehicle was involved in an accident more than a week ago.

It is believed that following this discovery, authority chief executive officer Sowane Puamau made a tour of fire stations around the country to get things in order at various stations.

In response to queries sent to the authority, manager human resources and corporate affairs Mileta Seniroqa said they could not comment on the inquiry as these were internal issues.

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