Two fire fighting vehicles and personal protection firefighter equipment were donated by the Metropolitan Fire Service from South Australian to the Fire & Emergency Service in Nuku’alofa, on 24 January 2025.
The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Mr. Brek Batley said that this donation is important because it will contribute to protecting lives, livelihoods and prevent economic loss.
The donation was made possible through a partnership that was established over 20 years ago between two chiefs from the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) and the Tonga Fire & Emergency Service (TFES).
According to the Australian High Commission office in Tonga, two MFS firefighters visited Tonga in 2003 and were concerned by the realities of TFES at the time.
They raised their concerns in the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) conference that year and in 2004 an MOU was signed by the two parties.
The MOU allowed for the exchange of personnel, information, education materials, training and equipment. Since then, Australia has donated at least 28 fire fighting vehicles over 20 years of partnership.
The donation was brought to Tonga on board the Australian Defence Vessel Reliant earlier this year.
