This Sustainable Development Program began in 2001 when the Chief Fire Officer (Poutele Tu’ihalamaka) of the Tonga Fire & Emergency Service (formerly known as Tonga Fire Service) was invited to attend the Australian Fire Authority Council Conference (AFAC) held in Australia. During this conference negotiations were carried out seeking advice as to provide some sort of technical assistance for the Tonga Fire Emergency Service. The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS) was willing to support and assist in the development of the Tonga Fire & Emergency Service.

Further negotiations were made during the 2002 AFAC in which the Tongan Chief Fire Officer was again invited to attend. The conference ended with a more promising outlook for the Tonga Fire & Emergency Service.

In 2003 further confirmation were made to ensure that the SAMFS were still willing to grant their assistance. During this time a high level team from the SAMFS visited the Kingdom to assess the current situation of all the departments’ fire utensils and they found this situation rather sad. This team spent two weeks here in the Kingdom before returning but with a promise of their dedication and assistance on the following (amongst others): 

• -Fire Appliance
• -Rescue equipment;
• -Protective clothing;
• -Training of Officers;
• -Fire Fighting equipment; and
• -Electronic equipment