A female firefighter has become the first woman in the country to be an officer-in-charge of a team at the National Fire Authority.
That privilege goes to Rokowati Crocker as a sub-officer. The young woman from Mokani, Tailevu, was honoured yesterday at the authority’s headquarters in Walu Bay, Suva.
Mrs Crocker said it felt special to setting a trend for women who have joined the authority. Currently there are only 15 women firefighters – three of them were part of the latest recruitment.
“I was the second woman to join the NFA in 2008. I am grateful that I did,” she said.
“I am also urging other women to join the NFA and break away from the traditional thought that only men are firefighters. I hope that in the next 10 years, women will make 40 per cent of the NFA workforce.”
Mrs Crocker is also married to a firefighter and smiled while admitting she outranked her spouse.
Chief fire officer Qionilau Moceitai said it was a proud day for the NFA.
“I too would like to urge women to be part of the NFA. The ceremony this morning shows that NFA is about giving equality to women as well,” he said.
“It is a proud day for me as this has happened under my watch.”
Edited by Naisa Koroi
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