Fire and Emergency supporting Samoa for CHOGM

Fire and Emergency New Zealand deployed a 10-person team of firefighters and commanders to Samoa last week for 14 days.

Fire and Emergency personnel with EMAT Defence Force Airport Security Cook Islands at RNZAF base, Whenuapai

Samoa is hosting the two-yearly Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, the first time a small Pacific country has hosted the event.

The team is supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) led response providing support operations to the Samoan Government.

Our 10-person team deployed to Samoa are assisting the Samoan Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA) with fire safety, security, and secondary response to support incidents at dedicated CHOGM venues and hotels as part of the NZ Government overall assistance to Samoa CHOGM. Fire and Emergency New Zealand USAR logistics personnel are also supporting the Ministry of Health ‘New Zealand Medical Assistance Team’, who are in Samoa for the same MFAT-led support mission.

Other Aotearoa New Zealand personnel deployed include police, doctors, nurses, paramedics, Customs officers, Aviation security officers and Quarantine officers.