Firefighters, military personnel, police officers and medics mobilised to a simulated aircraft crash on 26 June 2026, as Fiji Airports Limited conducted its first-ever large-scale night-time airport emergency exercise. The event capped a five-day emergency management training programme that brought together nine national response agencies under a unified incident command structure.
The training, held in Suva from 22–26 June, was the first face-to-face national multi-agency training in the Pacific Incident Management System (PacIMS) and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) courses delivered in Fiji. Building on the classroom-based training, participants applied their knowledge on the final evening through a full-scale airport crash simulation, providing them with an opportunity to apply incident management and coordination procedures in a realistic, operational environment.
The week brought together an unprecedented number of stakeholders under a coordinated national programme supported by the Pacific Community (SPC) through the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance (PIEMA) and the European Union-funded Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific (BSRP) projects.
Participants included representatives from the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO), Fiji Police Force, National Fire Authority, Ministry of Health (MOH), Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Fiji Airports, Fiji Airways, Fiji Red Cross Society, St John Ambulance and other emergency management agencies.
While setting the scene for the week, Ms Carine Hanssens, First Counsellor and Head of Section, Global Gateway Enabling Environment, European Union Delegation to the Pacific, emphasised the importance of a coordinated approach to emergency management.
“As you all know, Fiji continues to face a range of hazards and emergencies, including tropical cyclones, flooding, maritime incidents, public health emergencies, and security-related threats. These challenges remind us that no single agency can respond effectively on its own. Successful emergency response depends on coordination, cooperation, and a shared commitment to protecting our people and communities”
Over five days, participants worked through emergency management frameworks, Incident Management Team (IMT) structures, operational procedures and leadership principles preparing Incident Action Plans (IAPs), Situation Reports (SITREPs) and Common Operating Procedures (COPs), practicing communication and information-sharing processes across agencies.
Participants reported increased confidence in applying PacIMS principles and operating within a unified command structure.
“While we have already undergone various training programmes within our respective organisations, this training reinforced and complemented what we already know. It enhanced our capabilities and strengthened our capacity to respond to disasters and emergencies more effectively,” said Matia Soqosoqo, a firefighter with the Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services Department at Fiji Airports
Dr Marica Boleirasili from the MOH shared that one of the significant benefits of the exercise was the opportunity to strengthen professional networks and improve coordination among response agencies.
“This strengthened collaboration will make coordination much easier during future emergency responses. As we prepared for the airport crash exercise, it became clear that we could achieve much more by working together as a team.”
Emphasising the broader impact of the training, Captain Timoci Yabakivou of the RFMF said the week reinforced the core principles of disaster management.
“Protecting life and safety, reducing suffering, and supporting recovery are principles that benefit both responders and the communities we serve.”
The training was delivered by local professionals, one of whom was Sergeant Saimoni Bebenisala of the FPF.
“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to learn and acquire a wide range of skills through professional development programmes delivered by SPC. This has allowed me to share knowledge with others and contribute to strengthening disaster management capabilities across Fiji. It is especially rewarding to witness achievements such as Fiji’s first full-scale airport crash simulation exercise.”
Reflecting on the week’s learnings, Mr Nereo Peñalver Garcia, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific, highlighted
“When agencies train together, they build relationships that become invaluable when responding to real-world emergencies”, adding that in a crisis, “you need to be able to trust your partners, especially when you are putting your life on the line.”
The training was facilitated by the Fiji Police Force in partnership with Fiji Airports and SPC through the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance Phase II (PIEMA II) and the European Union-funded Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific II (BSRP II) projects.
About the Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific Project
The Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific (BSRP) Phase II project (2022–2027) is a EUR 14m ACP-EU Disaster Risk Reduction Program initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by SPC in 14 countries across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
About the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance Project
The Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance (PIEMA) Phase II Project (2023-2028) supports alliance members who are National Disaster Management Offices Fire and Emergency Services and Police in the 14 PICs, to identify and support emergency management challenges of the Alliance. PIEMA aims to strengthen interoperability between first responders and achieve enhanced, inclusive and effective emergency preparedness and response to emergencies and disasters in the Pacific.