The Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (S.F.E.S.A.) plans for Faleolo fire station to be up and running before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (C.H.O.G.M.) next year.

This is despite original estimation that more time was needed for the fire station to be ready.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, S.F.E.S. Commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone Mauga stressed on the significance of the C.H.O.G.M next year and Samoa's role as a host while confirming new plans for the Faleolo station.

"Yes, we do have plans and we're working on it. We are trying to speed up upgrading works and so forth for the station so we can open it as soon as we possibly can before the C.H.O.G.M," he said.

"However, it still does require some time as I said before but that's the plan, hopefully it can be up and running before the meeting next year as it's one of the most significant events of 2024 but if not then it is what it is."

Earlier this year, Tanuvasa in a previous interview with this newspaper confirmed that the endorsed Faleolo fire station is anticipated to be completed in the next fiscal year which is 2024.

This was his response upon requests from concerned residents on the Western side of Upolu regarding delayed response from F.E.S.A especially during fire incidents which Tanuvasa agreed with.

"I agree with them there are cases where our response is delayed due to the distance of the stations in Apia and Faleata from their locations hence why we've been working on that fire station at Faleolo and we're trying to get it running as soon as possible so we're looking at the next financial year for it to be established and used," he said.

Vaaiga Tafalole from Pata in Falelatai whose home was destroyed by fire in late January said their house or maybe some of their belongings could have been saved if the F.E.S.A team were to arrive earlier.

"They were called for assistance the moment our house caught fire but they arrived when everything was burnt to the ground so there was nothing for them to do," she said.

"Neighbours and people from my village assisted in getting water from the sea to take down the fire but nothing was saved because we could only get sea water with buckets."

Mrs. Tafalole said it would have been helpful if a fire station was close-by. 

Samoa Observer understands that the same concern was raised by other rural residents who have had similar experiences with fire incidents.

Meanwhile, Tanuvasa also confirmed that the land is already there and ground work was already underway for the construction of the station since the beginning of the year.

The new Faleolo fire staton will service all close-by areas on the Western side of Upolu including Falelatai where Mrs. Tafalole resides, Aana, Samatau, Mulifanua and others.

With the new fire station to be established, the Commissioner said numbers of firefighters have increased and will be enough to cater for the need from across the islands including Savaii, Manono and Apolima.

A total of 180 staff are currently employed under the Authority with the majority under the Operations Division according to the Fire Commissioner. This is an increase of 55 staff, in 2019 where there were only 125 staff.