Photos by Caroline Manu Moli

Two women were among 10 fire fighters who graduated today, 22 October, after completing two years of recruitment training at the Tonga Fire and Emergency Services Headquarter at Longolongo in Nuku’alofa.

Toakase Tu’uholoaki of Fatumu and Melenaite Latavao of Popua are the first two women in Tonga to go through the confirmation process as qualified fire fighters. 

The trail blazing graduates each received a Qualified Fire Fighter Certificate and a First Aid Certificate presented by the Acting Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services & Prisons, Hon. Vuna Fa’otusia.

Finau Taniela Palu, Dux of the Recruit Fire Fighter Qualifying Course No.8, received prizes for Best in Fire Outdoor Subjects and Best Discipline. Mateo Tamale came second, and Toakase Tu’uholoaki third, with Best in Fire Indoor Subjects.

Viliami Tu‘ihalamaka, Deputy Fire Commissioner Corporate Services said that under a new system the Police and Fire Departments now trained their own recruits separately.

“Every fire fighter must go through a confirmation process in order to become qualified …and this is the first time for the confirmation process to be completed,” he said.

The recruits training covered rope work, road crash rescue, first aid, physical fitness and lifesaving, using and maintenance of breathing apparatus, and learning about the Fire Emergency Service Act. The two women were the first to take part in the same training as the men.

“It is very important to have women in the fire fighting department. They can carry out the work that men do. For Community Safety programs, women have a natural bond with families. The young children listen to what they teach. Not only that, but they keep the offices more organized,” Tu’ihalamaka said. The Tonga Fire and Emergency Services now employs eight women, including secretarial and administrative jobs, with the first woman enrolled in 2004.

He said the Tonga Fire and Emergency Services had responded to 318 incidents so far this year, most of which were bush and structural fires. There have been three deaths and one injury from fires that have caused an estimated loss amounting to over $1.69 million pa'anga to property in 2015 alone. This is an increase on the same period last year.

A demonstration of fire fighting skills was presented at the graduation.

Attending the graduation ceremony was Former Chief Fire Officer, Poutele Tu’ihalamaka; Chaplain, Rev. Viliami Fanaika; former fire officers and families of the graduates.