Tari Airport will receive its first dedicated airport fire station following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the National Airports Corporation (NAC), the Hela Provincial Government and the PNG Fire & Rescue Service.

The agreement aims to strengthen aviation safety and emergency response at Tari Airport while also improving fire protection for Tari Town and surrounding communities.

NAC Board Chairman Jacob Anga said airport operations and fire services must work hand in hand, particularly as Hela continues to grow.

"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."

Hela Governor Philip Undialu welcomed the partnership, saying the province has major public investments that require protection.

"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."

PNG Fire & Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Bill Roo said one of two new fire trucks expected to arrive in September will be deployed to 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. PNG Fire & Rescue Service will play its part in keeping both the airport and Tari Town fire safe."

Under the agreement, NAC will assist in constructing and operating the airport fire station, provide land within the airport boundary, and support operations with a vehicle and a 15-seater bus.

The three partners will also work together on emergency planning, training exercises and disaster response to ensure emergency teams are prepared to respond quickly to incidents affecting the airport and surrounding communities.

Commissioned in 2023, Tari Airport forms part of NAC's nationwide airport redevelopment program aimed at improving aviation infrastructure and safety across Papua New Guinea.