About Us
Tonga Fire and Emergency Services, otherwise commonly known as TFES, is an Emergency Service situated in the Kingdom of Tonga. The Service was established in 1978 and was previously known as Tonga Fire Services until 2014 when the then Fire Act was repealed and replaced with the now Tonga Fire and Emergency Services Act. TFES is a para-military organization and has close roots to the Police Department within Tonga.
Structure of TFES:
TFES currently remains a department under the Ministry of Police, Fire and Emergency Services to which the current Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, is serving as its Commander and Chief.
TFES is currently under the leadership of Commissioner Viliami Tu’ihalamaka, who has been serving as its Commander and Chief since 2019. Directly under his leadership are three Deputies who are in charge of the three divisions within TFES.
Deputy Commissioner Sinamoni Kauvaka is the most senior of all three deputies and is the Deputy of the newly amended Fire and Emergency Division. Deputy Commissioner Kauvaka is in charge of two departments, the Fire Suppression Department, led by Fire Commander Va’enuku, and the Emergency Response Department, led by Fire Commander Seluiti Latu.
Deputy Commissioner Felemi Tonutonu is the head of the Staff Organizational Development Division in which he oversees two departments, the Corporate Services Department, led by Fire Commander Lynette Mafile’o and the Training and Development Department, led by Fire Commander Fetokai Toki.
Deputy Commissioner Sione Maile Fakatava, is the head of the Community and Safety Division in which he is in charge of the Community and Safety Department, led by Fire Commander Semisi Tapueluelu.
