04/08/2026
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Tari set for permanent fire service
By Jane Daniel
The Hela Provincial Government, National Airports Corporation (NAC) and PNG Fire Service yesterday signed an agreement at Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby to establish a permanent fire station in Tari.
The agreement will provide fire protection for lives, businesses, public buildings and critical infrastructure, including Tari Airport.
PNG Fire Service Chief Fire Officer Mr Bill Roo said a feasibility assessment confirmed the need for a permanent station because of rapid development in Hela.
He said PNG Fire Service had secured two fire trucks from Queensland, with one earmarked for Tari and expected to arrive on August 8.
“We are all ready to establish a fire station there,” Roo said.
He said a station commander had already been appointed, with personnel to be deployed to Tari.
NAC Chairman Jacob Anga said Hela’s urbanisation and increasing air traffic made the establishment of a fire service necessary.
He said NAC would provide land within the airport precinct for the fire station and work with PNG Fire Service to strengthen emergency response.
Acting NAC managing director Dominic Kaumu said the agreement represented a new partnership between the three parties, with each organisation bringing different responsibilities.
“After the signing, it’s incumbent on us to make sure it happens,” Kaumu said.
Hela Governor Philip Undialu said the province had invested hundreds of millions of kina in infrastructure, making fire protection increasingly important.
He said Hela was now receiving between 10 and 12 flights each week, while government agencies and businesses were increasingly establishing operations in Tari.
“This signing and the inclusion of fire service will give confidence to the business communities to invest in Tari and elsewhere in the province,” Undialu said.
Hela Provincial Administrator Rony Yango said the agreement would safeguard lives, property and critical infrastructure, including government buildings, banks and the airport.
Undialu said the provincial government would provide the necessary support for the station’s establishment and operations.
The three parties are expected to visit Tari next week to identify a suitable site, receive the fire truck and begin work on establishing the station.
