Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
CFA is helping build capability amongst its Pacific partners, recently hosting seven firefighters from the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority for a 10-day fire investigation training program at its Huntly campus.
Held from 20 April to 2 May 2026, the course was designed to strengthen specialist skills in determining the origin and cause of fires.
Fire investigation plays a vital role in fire prevention by identifying the causes of fires, preserving evidence at fire scenes and analysing trends to prevent further incidents.
The program combined theoretical learning with practical, scenario-based exercises at CFA’s purpose-built Fire Investigation Training Facility, allowing participants to train in a safe and controlled environment.
The Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority provides firefighting, rescue and ambulance services to more than 205,000 people across four islands.
The agency is made up of about 250 career and volunteer firefighters and prior to this training had only one qualified fire investigator.
Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority Senior Station Officer Usufono Latu said the training delivered valuable skills and knowledge that the team could take back to Samoa.
“We really need more people in this field so that whenever there’s an incident or a fire, one of us can attend,” she said.
“This training has been on another level. I’ve been involved in a little bit of fire investigation back home, but it doesn’t add up to the content we’ve learned in the [burn] room.
“This facility is one of the best facilities that I’ve been in since I’ve been…training in firefighting and fire investigation.”
DCO Operational Doctrine and Training Rohan Luke said the training program reflected CFA’s commitment to supporting regional partners and sharing expertise.
“We’re proud to support our Pacific neighbours in building specialist capability,” he said.
“Fire investigation plays an important role in fire prevention. Understanding how and why fires start helps prevent them from happening again.
“Training like this not only strengthens technical skills, it builds lasting relationships between our agencies.”
The fire investigation training program aligns with nationally recognised Public Safety Training Package units and covers key areas including structural fire investigation, scene preservation and fire cause analysis.
“This initiative forms part of CFA’s broader commitment to supporting international partner agencies and strengthening collaboration across the Pacific,” Rohan said.
“By sharing knowledge and building capability, CFA is helping enhance fire safety outcomes beyond Victoria.”
| Submitted by | Shaunnagh O’Loughlin and Alison Smirnoff |
|---|