Commissioner sketchy on details of medical cover for firefighters

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 17 June 2020, 9:00AM

The Commissioner of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (F.E.S.A.), Lelevaga Fa’afouina Mupo, says firefighters are entitled to medical support if they get injured during a rescue mission. 

But he would not say whether that medical support includes insurance on their lives.

Lelevaga was approached to explain what the first responders are entitled to in light of several firefighters being injured during an operation at Tiapapata last week where they were sent in to find a father and his son who had fallen into a ravine there.

“They are covered,” said Commissioner Lelevaga. 

Asked what are the firefighters entitled to and if they have life insurance together with medical support, Lelevaga said there are Government initiatives they are entitled to.

Pressed to give details of what those initiatives are, the Commissioner said he will have to find out information before he can discuss it. 

The Commissioner also did not want to talk about the case of one of the firefighters who is at the hospital undergoing counseling due to being traumatised from the rescue operation last week.

Several firefighters were admitted at the hospital as a result of injuries they sustained during the operation that started on Tuesday afternoon and lasted until 4am Wednesday.

One of those firefighter is hospitalised at the Mental Health unit after he was traumatised and is unable to communicate directly with people. 

Edward Peseta can only communicate by making certain movements and gestures, his mother in-law, Seanoa Malatai, confirmed. 

She added that they have not been made aware of whether the firefighters are entitled to any life insurance or other medical support. 

A senior firefighter said they are not aware of any other medical support other than the Accident Compensation Corporation compensation to assist them in events they are injured from work. 

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 17 June 2020, 9:00AM

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