Logistics, manpower also an issue

BY TONY SII

Suburbs in Port Moresby that the Boroko Fire Brigade Service are at risk of serious fires because the station’s two fire tenders (trucks) have broken down.

The fire station commander Superintendent Leo Ovia said Boroko does not have fire tenders to attend to emergencies in its zone that covers Boroko, Two-Mile, Three-Mile and Six-Mile, Kaugere, Sabama, Gabutu, Korobosea, Kila Kila, Pari, Taurama, Hohola, and as far as Eight-Mile, Nine-Mile and Bomana.

He said yesterday that the station has only two fire trucks and both are at the workshop awaiting parts to arrive from overseas. The older truck of 20 years has outlived usefulness and had malfunctioning water pumps, Mr Ovia added.

He has appealed to agencies willing to support the Boroko fire brigade that they are welcomed to do so.

“Our fire zone is at risk because right now we don’t have vehicles. The management is aware of this issue and is working on hurrying the process at the workshop,” Mr Ovia said.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Bill Roo said they have already paid for parts of the fire truck, but in the meantime they are co-sharing resources with fire stations at Waigani, Gerehu and Town.

“We are managing with the limited capacity we have,” Mr Roo said.

Mr Ovia said their logistical incapacity coupled with shortage of firemen made it hard to meet the fire emergency demands of a growing metropolis like Port Moresby.

“It’s a real challenge because the resources we have are old ones. The government sees our situation, but I won’t pre-empt anything here,” Mr Ovia said.

Fire chief Roo confirmed that they have not received the K1.5 million the government approved in 2015 for an urgent review of the PNG Fire Service capabilities.