The Ambassador's Speeches

» THE AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN, H.E. YUTAKA YOSHIZAWA’S ADDRESS AT THE NATIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY PASS-OUT PARADE FOR 30 NEW FIREFIGHTER RECRUITS

Friday, 8th May 2009

Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the warm welcome bestowed by the NFA, to myself and the officials from the Embassy of Japan. It is my great pleasure to be here with you all today and it has been an honor for me to be given the privilege to review the parade of these new fire fighter recruits.

This is a very special day in the lives of these new recruits who are passing out today and it is equally encouraging to see much support from the families at this special occasion.

Dear recruits, the expression on your family members’ faces says it all, they are proud of you. I wish to congratulate all of you who are passing out today. You have not only earned the respect and admiration of your family, your colleagues, your educators but also your own selves. The tangible result of your hard work is unmistakably evident today and we all are present here to commemorate this auspicious occasion. Events such as passing out parades inspire self defining moments that encourage self belief, self motivation and lay the foundation for rewarding and meaningful lives.

History shows that the success of NFA’s Fire and Rescue Services rests upon the qualities of its fire fighters in the heat of any fire or emergency incident. You would not be here unless you were trusted to exhibit courage to face up to danger and to do what is right. I urge the recruits to be proud of themselves, for they are the newest elite, the cream of the crop in Fiji’s fire and rescue organ.

I would like to acknowledge the work of the NFA’s trainers as they form a crucial component in the success of NFA’s operations around the country. So, to the instructors, please accept my congratulations for a job well done. You have unleashed the potential in each of these recruits and prepared them well.

The fire fighting career is definitely unique. Although there are countless professions to embark upon in the world, only a few touch people’s lives in such a noble manner, as fire fighters not only save people’s properties and dreams but also save people’s lives, and we all are well aware that human lives are priceless.

I also wish to commend the NFA for the exceptional service they have rendered to the people of Fiji. The prevalent sense of security and confidence in the NFA, amongst the society is apparent enough to indicate that the doctrine of the NFA in carrying out its responsibilities is quite effective. I am also told that the NFA is intensely pursuing the ‘Strategic Roadmap for Fire Safety and Mitigation in Fiji’ that seeks to provide a modern fire service, provide protection of high life-risk remote communities, and assist the NFA to move from its traditional “fire response” service to deliver a wider range of emergency services such as Road Accident Rescue, Hazardous Materials response, Flood evacuation and Swift water rescue, Urban Search and Rescue as well as providing support to agencies responsible for managing natural disasters.

The Government of Japan has always been a great advocate of the essential services provided by the Fire Service. Since 1995, the Government of Japan, through JICA has trained 30 fire officers and supplied 14 used fire trucks. The Matsusaka Fire Department currently provides specialist training and this collaboration has been ongoing for the last 3 years. I believe 2 senior officers from the Matsusaka Fire Department will be in Fiji in August this year to help in NFA’s capacity building efforts.

I also would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to Mr John Low and the members of the NFA Board for fervently pursuing Government’s desire for fire-safe communities in Fiji.

I wish to further encourage the new recruits, by emphasising that the NFA’s passing out parade is not only your gain, but generically good news for the entire nation, because Fiji’s fire and rescue prowess has been freshly reinforced. Every society needs saviours and brave hearts, in your career span you will be such individuals that carry this persona, you will bear an impression of respect and dignity in the community. As the centuries old adage goes, ‘Service to mankind is service to God,’ dear recruits, in carrying out your duties, you will go on and serve the people when they need help the most, in life or death situations..

In conclusion, I wish each of the 30 recruits a flourishing career and may the NFA continue to prosper and serve the people of Fiji.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s put our hands together and applaud the new fire fighting recruits of Fiji!

Thank you.