By DALCY LULUA
THE National Parliament today has unanimously passed the Fire and Rescue Bill 2025, with 67 votes.
The Bill, introduced by Minister for Defence and Fire Services, Hon. Dr Billy Joseph, received overwhelming support from all the Members of the Parliament before its passage.
The Bill aims to bring changes to the Fire and Rescue Service to ensure better performance and expansion in its roles and responsibilities.
“The Fire Service Act (Chapter 64) substantially remains unchanged since its commencement in 1968, particularly the provisions of the Firemen operations and the performance aspects which, in most part is outdated,” Minister Joseph explained.
“Hence, this Fire and Rescue Service Bill 2025 will repeal and replace the Fire Service Act (Chapter 64),” he added.
The major features of the Fire and Rescue Service Bill 2025 include: provision of a change to the official name of the Fire Service Act (Chapter 64) and the official name of the Office; creation of the regulatory functions of the National Fire Service to regulate the Fire safety Industry; allowing for more collaborations with other regulatory bodies and stakeholders to assist carryout operations of the National Fire Service; creation of the ranks of the Fire Brigade under the Fire Service Act; widening the scope of functions of the fire fighters for the protections of lives and properties from local fires to include
services of rescue and other related emergencies within the capacity of firefighters and resources of the Government; creation of an Appeal Tribunal for the Fire Fighters; updating the funding regime of the National Fire Service in compliance with the Public Finance (Management) Act 1995; and updating the penalties of regime under the Act.
The Minister further stated that the development and the expansion of towns and cities in PNG caused some of the provisions in the Fire Service Act to become inappropriate and obstacles to progress.
“The need to repeal the Fire Service Act is relevant to meet today’s prevailing circumstances.
“A new modern framework is needed given these prevailing circumstances to effectively enable the PNG Fire Service to help address these problems by giving more directions to its operations.”
“The National Fire Service has Fire Brigades and Stations established in 13 Provinces in the country: NCD (Waigani, Gerehu, Boroko, Town), East New Britain (Kokopo), New Ireland (Kavieng), Western Highlands (Mt. Hagen), Morobe (Lae), East Sepik (Wewak), Madang, Eastern Highlands (Goroka), West New Britain (Kimbe), Oro (Popondetta) Milne Bay (Alotau) Wabag (Enga)and Kundiawa in Chimbu.”
“Under the proposed Bill, the aim of the PNG Fire Service is to have Fire Brigades and Stations established in all districts and provinces in the country, including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville,” Minister Jospeh added.
He further stressed on for the PNG Fire Service to be modernized to meet the evolving fire safety and emergency needs of the country.
“The Marape-Rosso Government recognizes the importance of this Service; hence supporting the modernization of this important Institution of State is a crucial area of long-term focus for the government in terms of investment in building new infrastructure, acquiring appropriate technology, equipment and fire engines, training of manpower in modern firefighting, rescue and emergency protocol; as well as adequate funding appropriations.
“As the Minister responsible, I would like to see the PNG Fire Service enter into a new era, delivering more resources, more personnel and better focused and aligned services for the country,” said the Minister.