Papua New Guinea Fire Service

THE general public have been warned to avoid starting grass or bush fires and not to leave cooking fire, candles or burning rubbish unattended because the fire could spread quickly.

National Capital District Fire Service Commander Chief Supt Sedrick Luwai said the dry conditions could increase the risk of bushfires, structural fires, and rapid fire spread.

– Picture supplied

Read More : https://www.thenational.com.pg/public-warned-against-leaving-fires-unattended/

📢 FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS – NCD COMMAND

The four NCD Fire Stations have commenced Fire Safety Awareness activities across the city in preparation for the expected dry season conditions.

According to advice from the Papua New Guinea National Weather Service and the National Disaster Centre, dry conditions are expected to affect the following areas of the country:

1. National Capital District (NCD)
2. Gulf Province and Western Province
3. All Highlands provinces

Therefore, all four NCD Fire Stations are instructed By NCD Chief supt. to conduct fire safety awareness to educate the public on the dangers of careless fire use, including setting fire to grass and bushes.

In the month of May, the four stations have responded to a total of 31 grass fire incidents within NCD, highlighting the increased fire risk during dry conditions.

We therefore urge all NCD residents to take extra precautions and not to light bush or grass fires, burn rubbish carelessly, or play with fire. Dry conditions can quickly cause fires to spread, threatening homes, property, lives, and the environment.

Fire Safety Advice to the Public:

📍Do not light grass or bush fires.

📍Do not leave cooking fires, candles, or rubbish fires unattended.

📍Supervise children and educate them not to play with fire.

📍Dispose of cigarette butts safely.

📍Immediately report fire emergencies to the nearest fire station.

Your cooperation is important in helping to keep our communities safe during the expected dry season.

Issued by:
Sedrick Luwai
NCD Commander
Papua New Guinea Fire Service

*DATE: MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026*

*FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS* *EL-NINO LIKE DRY SEASON*

*Papua New Fire Service* has commenced Fire Safety Awareness in preparation for the *El-Nino Like Dry Season*, expected to affect PNG from *May to July 2026*. Drier conditions increase the risk of bushfires, structural fires, and rapid fire spread.

*Waigani Fire Station Commander*, Superintendent Philip TAI, and his team have commenced the Fire Safety Awareness and advised the public to take extra precautions of fire emergency during the expected El-Nino Dry Season.

*1. Homes & Residential Areas are advised*
- Not to leave open fires unattended in yards or settlements.
- To keep cooking fires and barbecues away from dry grass, fences, and buildings.
- To ensure children are supervised around fire and heat sources.
- To check electrical wiring and appliances to prevent accidental fires.

*2. Rubbish Burning*
- Public and street vendors were informed not to burn rubbish in their premises or on streets during dry conditions.
- Waigani Fire Station officers challenged public to use designated waste collection services where available.
If burning is unavoidable, do it in a controlled pit, away from flammable materials, and never leave it unattended.

*3. Officers further elaborated on Bush Clearing & Illegal Gardens*
- Illegal city gardeners and others clearing land are advised *not to start bush fires* to clear vegetation in NCDC areas.
Uncontrolled burning puts homes, lives, and property at risk and is an offense under PNG law.

*4. General*
- Report any uncontrolled fires immediately to the Fire Service on *1100*.
- Cooperate with Fire Service officers during awareness visits and inspections.

*The safety of ourselves, our families, and nearby communities depends on everyone taking responsibility.*

Let’s work together to prevent fires this coming dry season.

Thank you for your cooperation.

*Supt. Philip TAI*
*Waigani Fire Station*
*Papua New Guinea Fire Service*

*Date: 11/05/2026*

Fire safety is a shared responsibility.

A successful First Aid Firefighting Training conducted at Armani Club, Pokies and Bar.

Ten (10x) staff from different divisions attended both theory and practical sessions.

Internal security manager for Armani Club and site Operation Manager commended PNG Fire Service for conducting such important training with Armani.

‘LEST WE FORGET’

“FIREFIGHTERS DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. SOMETIMES THAT DEDICATION IS IN THE FORM OF COUNTLESS HOURS VOLUNTEERED OVER MANY YEARS, IN OTHERS IT IS MANY SELFLESS YEARS WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY. IN ALL CASES IT RISKS THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE OF A FIREFIGHTER’S LIFE”.

OBSERVED on the 4th of May every year is the International Firefighters Day (IFFD) – a day to commemorate and remember past and present firefighters for their dedication and sacrifice in delivering service to the communities.

At the same time, we show our support and appreciation to the firefighters in the country who continue to protect us so well throughout the years in times of fire and rescue emergencies. Theirs is a life dedicated to protecting lives and property sacrificing their lives for others. The PNG Fire and Rescue Service recognize and honor the sacrifices that past firefighters have made. They served with pride and dedication.

Firefighters dedicate their lives to the protection of life and property. Sometimes that dedication is in the form of countless hours volunteered over many years, in others it is many selfless years working in the industry. In all cases it risks the ultimate sacrifice of a firefighter’s life.

The example of such a sacrifice and dedication of a firefighter can be taken from Black Wednesday when firefighters scrambled to save properties on fire during the January 10 riot in 2024. On Black Wednesday, our firefighters showed courage and determination when they attended to multiple fires. There was no food and water, they never complained. They kept fighting fires that were raging the stores and such is firefighters’ dedication and sacrifice in serving the communities.

In commemoration, PNG Fire and Rescue Service has recognized and remembered past firefighters for their dedication with courage and sacrifice. The PNGFS also acknowledged the serving firefighters throughout PNG. And extending gratitude to the non-uniformed support staff for their service in realizing our core duty of saving lives and protecting properties from fire and rescue emergencies.

For those who have served the Fire and Rescue Service with dedication and died or retired, lest we forget, your sacrifice, hard work and dedication in serving the country with pride and dignity is remembered and honored.

Also, PNGFS thank the current firefighters for their constant dedication and sacrifice in serving communities to ensure fires do not destroy property and lives.

While the IFFD is a day when past and present firefighters are remembered for their dedication, loyalty and sacrifice, it is also important to reflect on our past contributions and sacrifice to move forward in delivering our duty now and into the future.

Ours is a duty taken under oath to save and protect lives and property. It is motivated by our dedication to serve. It’s our duty to improve service delivery effectively. Let’s strive to be effective marching on-wards while continuing to remember land honor our past firefighters.

Once again, Happy Firefighters Day to all Firefighters across the country. Let’s keep up the spirit and continue that legacy with dedication and loyalty to save lives and property in communities we serve.

30th April 2026

Safe practices at the workplace is important for the safety of the employer, employee and customers.

Successful First Aid Firefighting Training conducted at Boroko Foodworld.
A total of 15 staff members were trained on how to use first aid firefighting equipment to safely extinguish fire at the incipient stage.

Another successful First Aid Firefighting training and Fire Warden training conducted with the Department of Personnel Management staff.

Practical training was conducted at the Waigani Fire station yesterday.

FIRE SERVICE LACKS INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT

ONE of the oldest important institutions in the country mandated to protect lives and property during fire and rescue emergencies is lacking in investments that will boost capacity to reach international standard at a time when PNG is experiencing rapid expansions and developments of major cities and urban centres. Due to lack of adequate government backing for many years had left the Papua New Guinea Fire and Rescue Service (PNGFRS) with aging infrastructure and low supply of basic firefighting equipment.

The unprecedented fires seen during the January riot in 2024 (Black Wednesday), and the recent fire reports in Port Moresby and parts of the country also shows the need for investment support from development partners, the national government and provincial governments as well as other stakeholders including business houses for the fire and rescue agency to be equipped and prepared for such scenarios.

With existing fire stations being built in the colonial days and underequipped firefighters are struggling to effectively respond to fire and rescue emergencies, we could not continue to blame the firefighters for not doing enough until they are fully supported in terms of infrastructure investment in building and upgrading of fire stations and acquiring of firefighting equipment like fire trucks and PPEs (personal protection equipment).

The fire agency acknowledged the recent fires as unfortunate and sad but, said they serves as a reminder to all that fire safety is important and is everyone’s responsibility. The fire incidents are a wake-up call for government agencies, development partners and developers to understand the importance of protecting property and lives from fire. Buildings in urban centres must meet fire safety standards and certified PNGFRS before occupancy.

Chief Fire Officer Bill Roo acknowledged The National for publishing the need for capacity boosting for his organisation to acquire more modern equipment to be prepared to respond to fire and rescue emergencies effectively in its editorial last year.

“Ours is an organisation that needs more investment to boost capacity,” Roo told The National. “For many years, our call for investment in more modern firefighting equipment often gets no attention. Existing fire stations are built in the colonial era. Today, the stations lack modern equipment and infrastructure.

“We would like to partner with provincial governments, district development authorities, businesses and property developers to protect their investments.”

During a tour of the four fire stations in the National Capital District in 2024, two months after his appointment, the minister responsible for PNGFRS and Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph saw himself the lack of investments the fire agency is facing to improve its standard. After seeing the lack of support faced by the stations, the minister outlined an ambitious plan to modernise the organisation.

While praising the firefighters for their role on Black Wednesday, the minister acknowledged the need for investment in infrastructure and equipment to modernise the country’s only fire and rescue agency to reach out to other provinces.
The Nipa-Kutubu MP lamented the lack of firefighting equipment at the stations in the capital city which portrayed the same picture for other stations across the country including Wabag, Kundiawa and Buka which were established recently.

“The government recognizes the importance of Fire and Rescue Service towards nation-building; hence, supporting the modernisation of this important state institution will be a crucial area of long-term focus,” he said during the stations tour. “This may seem like an ambitious plan but one that must be undertaken given the high stakes involve.”

Dr Billy said the plans to modernise the agency is to meet the evolving demand for fire safety and rescue needs of the country as townships continue to grow with rising investment in commercial and residential building infrastructures.

He acknowledged that the plans seemed ambitious and unachievable but they can be achieved with consistent capital investment in infrastructure and more modern rescue and firefighting equipment.

The Nipa-Kutubu MP told to the firefighters and officials that the priorities and strategies necessary to create a modern Fire and Rescue Service with national coverage included:
1. MODERNIZATION of all fire stations, fire engines and standard operations to meet the Australian standard;
2. RETIREMENT and replacement of old and dysfunctional fire engines with new fleets;
3. ESTABLISHMENT of standard fire station designs for provincial headquarters, urban towns and the NCD;
4. FORMULATION of agreements with all provincial governments, city commissions and town authorities;
5. ESTABLISHMENT of fire stations in all provincial headquarters to improve national coverage;
6. INCREASE the number of fire stations in Lae and Mt Hagen to enhance regional response capabilities;
7. TRANSITION of staff housing away from fire stations by initiating a staff housing sceme in partnership with National Housing Corporation;
8. RECRUIT more firefighters to beef manpower and to achieve full staffing capacity;
9. ESTABLISHMENT of a new fire training college;
10. CENTRALIZING all rescue operations under the fire safety jurisdiction; and,
11. IMPLEMENTATION of leadership mentoring and training programmes at the Joint Forces College, incorporating fire and rescue service.

Following the series of fires last year that claimed a family of six in Port Moresby’s Gordon, burning of shops in Mendi, Southern Highlands, and Mt Hagen in Western Highlands, The National’s editorial in November trumpeted the need for capacity boosting of the fire and rescue agency to be prepared for such incidents. It mentioned the plans revealed by the minister during the passing of the PNG Fire and Rescue Service Act 2025.

“I would like to see the PNGFRS enter into a new era, delivering more resources, more personnel and better focused and aligned services for the country,” Dr Billy said after passing of the Act. “My desire is for an enhanced investment in Fire and Rescue Service’s capabilities to ensure its committed frontline officers and staff are best positioned to respond to emergency situations.”

“That is a good start. Now the public announcements must be backed by action and funding,” according to The National’s editorial. “That is the least and the most natural follow up that is expected.”

With the added responsibility of rescue service in the Act, the agency is hoping for wider and increased government funding support to acquire equipment and build infrastructure for fire stations in the country.

“We have visions and plans to transform the organisation,” Roo said. “To modernise, we need investment in infrastructure and firefighting equipment. A single PPE costs us over K8,000. Cost of a fire truck is over a million Kina and for big engine capable of extinguishing fires in high rise buildings, it costs more.”

The Chief Fire Officer agreed that everything could not be transformed overnight but with increased consistent funding support over time the PNGFRS can achieve these plans to transform into a more modern organisation.

For the minister responsible, it is not too late to walk the talk to set his legacy with the fire agency to implement the plans he envisioned and shared with the PNGFRS. Improved investment in infrastructure and more modern firefighting equipment for fire stations across the country will only prepare the agency to be emergency-ready to deliver its service effectively rescuing lives and protecting properties from fire.

🧑‍🚒👮‍♂️ Teamwork makes the dreamwork!

THE Lae Fire Service freed a man trapped inside a vehicle that ran off the road and into a drain over the Easter weekend.

Superintendent Luke Munguas said his team was alerted by police from the Lae Central Police Station of a road accident at Kamkumung, along Milford Haven Road, at 10.48pm last Friday.

Read More : https://www.thenational.com.pg/fire-service-rescues-man-trapped-in-vehicle/