Two fire trucks donated by the Government of Australia were presented to Tonga Fire & Emergency Services (TFES) on 18 November.
The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Brek Batley and Commissioner for Tonga Fire & Emergency Services (TFES) Viliami Tu‘ihalamaka, attended the handover, at the TFES Headquarters..
The contribution was made possible through ongoing partnership between the South Australia Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS) and the Tonga Fire & Emergency Services (TFES).
Commissioner Tu‘ihalamaka acknowledged the support and said, "As noted, 99% of the fire appliances and equipment currently in use by the Ministry have been provided through the Australian Government, via the SDP and MOU with the South Australia Metropolitan Fire Service in Adelaide."
He thanked the Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant for transporting the two fire appliances to Tonga.
HE Brek Batley also expressed his delight at the ongoing collaboration and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting TFES.
He said that this partnership had spanned over two decades and emphasized confidence that it would continue well into the future.
He trustedt that the Ministry woudl make effective use of the two appliances in carrying out its fundamental mission.
