By Martha Taumata Faavae
The Fire and Emergency Service Authority, FESA, top firefighter award for its intake of newly trained staff is a 23 year old Savai’i young lady.
Jacinta Tagaloa Etenei of Palauli and Lalomalava was one of nine (9) ladies in the largest intake of new staff by FESA that included 22 males.
The total women graduates also went beyond the 10 per cent mark for any new intake.
Etenei was already a member of the staff human resource division and had to juggle between her firefighting training and routine office work.
“ The 3 months training was a difficult challenge with the 11 courses we went over but to me nothing is impossible if you put your faith in our Lord,” the top firefighter recruit admitted.
Interest in becoming a firefighter started when Etenei was called in from her office work to help out with water duties for the firefighters while attending a fire.
“I was able to see how the job is done and admittedly it was not easy but I felt it was doable so it was how I became interested.”
She is now one of close to 20 women firefighters with FESA and it is a job that she knows others like her are also capable of doing.
Her involvement along with other female workers was heralded during the class graduation as a clear indication of equal opportunities that are available for both men and women.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi sang the praises of the women and the quality of work they are capable of in his graduation address at the Tuanaimato Multipurpose Gym.
“Women has proven everywhere that they can play an instrumental role in national developments in any country.
“We are seeing this trend reflected in Samoa and it is one to be proud of.”
Etenei has admitted that being a human resource officer and a firefighter at the same time is something she will have to work on.
