Emergency Response Training in Tonga and Fiji

In August this year, Major Deane Goldsack, territorial coordinator, Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES), and Wendy Lobb, in her capacity as SAES senior trainer, travelled to Tonga and Fiji to deliver emergency response training. Previously, comprehensive training was held at the Booth College of Mission (BCM) in Wellington, with participants from the Pacific travelling to New Zealand to attend. ‘This training was particularly significant as it marked the first time emergency response training has been delivered in the Pacific Islands,’ explains Deane.  

Nearly 80 participants took part in sessions that focused on Psychological First Aid (PFA), including corps staff members and community ministry personnel. PFA is designed to address psychological needs in the aftermath of a disaster or emergency. It equips local responders to support their communities by helping individuals keep calm, offering reassurance, meeting immediate needs, and ensuring access to accurate information. ‘We know that when something happens at a local level, we need local people to help, and PFA enables them to do this,’ shares Deane.  

‘We could not have delivered the training without the assistance of our guides,’ says Deane. ‘Captain Faleata Leha in Tonga and Major Salesi Temo in Fiji made us feel so welcome and supported the programme by translating and helping us navigate the local context. They are a great addition to our team.’  

The training was well received in both Tonga and Fiji, with requests already coming in for future sessions. The long-term plan is to build on The Salvation Army’s robust emergency response capacity in the Pacific by training PFA trainers locally, enabling further sessions to be delivered at the corps and centre level.