Tonga's busy Fire and Emergency Services received two fire trucks worth more than $90,000 pa’anga donated by the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Services yesterday, June 20.

Viliami Tu’ihalamaka, Deputy Fire Commissioner said the value for each truck was $47,649 pa'anga, with boots and helmets and other equipment also provided.

The donated trucks will be based at the main fire station in Nuku'alofa.

"We are delighted to receive the donation as part of an ongoing Sustainable Development Program (SDP) between the two services since 2004," he said.

“The trucks and the surplus equipment will enhance the capacity development of the Tonga Fire and Emergency Services on its mission to protect the people and community of Tonga from the effects of fire and other emergencies.”

He said the continuous support from their counterpart had repeatedly played a key role in their success in accomplishing their duties.

More than 85% of the fire department's technical fire fighting equipment is provided by the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Services. The donated items in previous years had included 20 fire trucks and firefighting equipment, which have been distributed to all fire stations in Tonga, he said.

The Fire and Emergency Services which currently operates 18 fire trucks has so far this year responded to 140 fire emergency calls throughout Tonga, in comparison to 324 in 2016.