MFRS honours 144 Firefighters for Exemplary Service

A total of 144 officers of the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) were decorated this morning in recognition of their long, dedicated and exemplary service to the organisation and the nation. The awards were presented during a ceremony held at the Sir Gaëtan Duval Stadium in Rose Hill to mark Firefighters’ Day 2026. The President’s Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was conferred on 23 officers, while 65 received the First Clasp and 56 the Second Clasp.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Local Government, Mr Ranjiv Woochit; the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Darmarajen Nagalingum; the Junior Minister of Tourism, Mrs Marie Anabelle Andelana Savabaddy; the Chief Fire Officer, Mr Ashok Ramdhean; and other personalities.

A prize-giving ceremony was subsequently held to reward the winners of football and volleyball competitions organised among fire stations across Mauritius.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Woochit paid tribute to firefighters who had lost their lives in the line of duty, recalling that their courage and sacrifice form an integral part of the proud history of the MFRS. He also commended serving officers for their dedication, noting that the medals and clasps recognise years of discipline, integrity and committed service. The Minister further acknowledged the invaluable support and sacrifices of their families.

The Minister further outlined Government’s continued efforts to modernise and strengthen the MFRS, with some Rs 1 billion allocated to the organisation for financial year 2026/27 to support investment in equipment, infrastructure, manpower and training. He indicated that infrastructure projects were progressing, with the new Goodlands Fire Station approximately 90% complete and construction works under way at Montagne Blanche. He nevertheless stressed that, beyond equipment and infrastructure, the officers of the MFRS remain its greatest strength.

Against this backdrop, Minister Woochit highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster the MFRS’s human resources and operational capabilities. He pointed out that 67 trainee firefighters from Mauritius and 11 from Rodrigues have been undergoing a six-month induction programme since April, alongside specialised training in hazardous materials, bushfires, pre-hospital emergency care and disaster-risk assessment. He also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to career progression, staff welfare and operational readiness, noting that the MFRS aims to reduce its average emergency response time from nine to eight minutes, and ultimately to seven minutes by 2028/29.

For his part, the Chief Fire Officer highlighted the importance of recognising longstanding service and the demanding nature of the firefighting profession, while acknowledging the vital support of officers’ families. Looking ahead, he underscored the need to embrace new technologies, strengthen operational capabilities and continue investing in MFRS personnel to meet evolving emergency-response demands, while upholding the Service’s core mission of protecting life, property and the community.

22 August 2026

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