Lihir’s first female fire truck operator

Newcrest-Lihir now has a female fire truck operator – the first for the Lihir gold operation as it continues to promote diversity in a male-dominated industry.

The 28-year-old Lihirian woman – emergency response officer – Joanne Jack, was ecstatic when she successfully completed a 10-day defensive driver training in December 2017 with 10 male colleagues from Lihir’s Emergency Response Team (ERT).

Others who have successfully completed the training are; senior specialist projects & port operations, Clement Kaia, emergency response supervisors Max Chris and Boas Paikara, supervisor asset protection, Alwas Lagot, emergency response training officers Robert Pape and David Nguma Losa, emergency response officers, Joanne Jack, Wesley Ningo, Gilbert Monkim, Fredrick Siadodoh and superintendent-asset protection, Mathew Walters.

The training was conducted by Dimond Defensive Driving Academy (DDDA), a nationally-based company that provides defensive driver’s training, conduct transport route risk assessment and vehicle accident investigation. 

According to the DDDA’s manager/trainer, Frank Lapi, the trainees were individually given practical training after an initial observation and assessment on them while driving out at field. Lapi said the trainees were confident drivers and only needed skills on defensive driving to equip them for emergency situations onsite. 

“Defensive driving is hazard perception driving. As much as possible, we have trained these 11 trainees to focus on the road and know how to manoeuver light vehicles and heavy trucks such as fire trucks during emergencies to avoid hazards and risks that can cause incidents and accidents.

“They are now competent to drive both light vehicles and heavy trucks,” said Lapi.

Lapi added that he has trained mostly male drivers in Papua New Guinea in the last seven years.

“Just like her male colleagues, Joanne had a wealth of knowledge in light vehicle driving prior to the training. The training only helped her on shifting those driving skills to operating heavy or big trucks.

“Lihir operation has shorter routes, but these routes pose hazards that drivers must be aware of when driving.”

Meanwhile, Jack said she was confident and happy to take up the training. 

“I was happy to take up the training with my male colleagues and I am thankful that they supported and helped me well.

“Being the first female fire truck operator for Lihir is an achievement for me, ERT, Lihir operation and my family.

“Safety is a priority here at the Lihir operation thus it is our duty as the emergency response team to respond swiftly and safely to emergencies. With this training, I am now certified and able to confidently operate a fire truck during emergency situations,” she said.

Kaia said the training was crucial for the team because emergency responses encounter heavy traffic in most situations.

“Urgent or emergency response is a risk, thus we needed skills to equip us. We had ten (10) dedicated & licensed operators for fire trucks in the ERT prior to the training. With the 11-newly trained truck operators, we now have 21 fire truck operators,” he said. 

The ERT has six crews with six members in each crew, totaling 36 members. He said the team is planning another training session soon for those in the team who had missed out. 

Jack’s achievement is also part of the business’s ongoing commitment in upskilling local Lihirians across departments within the Lihir operation. 

Author: 
Press release