The partnership between the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) and the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA) has helped to enhance fire safety and emergency response capabilities in the Samoan community through targeted capacity building and specialised training.
This was highlighted by SFESA Commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone Mauga. He went on to say that as the Authority’s responsibilities have expanded over the years, there has been a need to boost staff capabilities and operational resources to improve service delivery for all Samoans.
Through the partnership with APTC, two SFESA staff members were provided with opportunities to travel to Melbourne, Australia, and completed the Course in Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Emergency Response.
This advanced training, delivered by Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), enabled SFESA’s Senior Station Compliance Officer, Iakopo Lesui, and Commander Training, Kereta Samia, to meet the Samoa Qualifications Authority (SQA) requirements and become qualified trainers to deliver the recognised SFESA-HAZMAT training in Samoa.
FRV collaborated with SFESA to develop a HAZMAT training program tailored to Samoan standards. This training complements specialised short courses in work health and safety in construction, first aid, professional women in plumbing and construction, and customer service delivered by the APTC to more than 70 SFESA staff members, including 24 women.
Commissioner Mauga added these training programs have been helpful and skills gained by the staff have led to strengthened service delivery and emergency response.
“APTC has been an invaluable partner in building our capacity and maintaining skills. Our partnership has enabled us to improve effectiveness and community impact,” Commissioner Mauga said.
The HAZMAT training addressed a critical gap in specialised knowledge, empowering SFESA staff to better handle hazardous materials and improve emergency response strategies.
Senior Station Compliance Officer, Iakopo Lesui, described the HAZMAT Emergency Response course as a transformative experience.
“The training deepened my understanding of hazardous materials and equipped me with the skills to train others in Samoa,” he said.
“This training has helped me in my work, allowing me to deliver comprehensive safety programs, and strengthen our emergency preparedness and response measures.”
Commander Training, Kereta Samia, said the course has enabled him to strengthen training programs for SFSA, ensuring that firefighters are well-prepared to handle hazardous situations.
“The course was a crucial step in advancing our technical training capabilities,” he added.
“Our staff can now manage complex incidents with greater confidence, which is vital for protecting both our community and local industries.”
The HAZMAT Emergency Response course has also improved SFESA’s community outreach programs, focusing on fire safety and emergency preparedness in schools, organisations and local communities.
APTC and SFESA have been working in partnership since July 2023 to provide high-quality training programs to enhance the skills and capabilities of SFESA staff.