The National Airports Corporation (NAC) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Hela Provincial Government and the PNG Fire & Rescue Service to establish a dedicated Fire Station at Tari Airport.
This partnership underscores NAC’s commitment to meeting international aviation safety standards and ensuring robust emergency response capability for both the airport and the wider Tari community. NAC Board Chairman Jacob Anga highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating: “Airport and Fire Service go hand in hand. With Hela’s rapid economic growth, this facility is essential to mitigate risks and safeguard lives and infrastructure.” Governor Philip Undialu welcomed the agreement, noting the need to protect significant investments both at the new Tari Airport and in Tari Town. “We have hundreds of millions of Kina worth of infrastructure assets that require protection, and a Fire Station is a crucial priority. The Hela Provincial Government stands ready to support this partnership in every way possible,” he said. Chief Fire Officer Bill Roo confirmed that PNG Fire & Rescue Service will station one of two new fire trucks, expected by September, in Tari. “We have been proactively preparing for a Fire Station there, and this agreement is timely. We’ve already appointed a Fire Commander for Tari and will recruit fire officers and the PNGFRS will play its part in keeping both the airport and Tari Town fire safe,” he said. Under the MOA, NAC will provide aerodrome land for the Fire Station, along with an operational vehicle and a 15-seater bus for Tari Airport. Beyond infrastructure, the agreement commits all parties to joint emergency planning, drills, and readiness exercises—ensuring trained response teams are in place to protect passengers, staff, and the community. Commissioned in 2023, Tari Airport is part of NAC’s broader program of airport redevelopment, domestic terminal expansion, and airport city masterplans across Papua New Guinea.
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