The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) is working with the Sierra Leone Fire Force to develop digital systems aimed at improving data management, institutional visibility and disaster response.

The discussions follow a request from the Fire Force for assistance in creating an institutional website and dashboard, according to information from the engagement.

The proposed website would provide a central platform for publishing the Fire Force’s activities, interventions and achievements while making institutional information more accessible to the public.

However, officials said the development of government websites follows a standard template administered through the Ministry of Information. As a result, the Fire Force is expected to route its request through the Ministry of Internal Affairs before receiving approval.

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While that administrative process is ongoing, technical discussions on the proposed dashboard and data visualisation systems are progressing separately.

DSTI also clarified that the Fire Force’s proposed dashboard would be different from the wider disaster-response data visualisation platform under development. The institutional dashboard would instead be designed around the Fire Force’s specific operations, users and data requirements.

A major area of discussion is the Key Asset Visualisation component of the Integrated Geographic Information System project.

DSTI and its partners are engaging institutions that hold relevant data to obtain updated datasets. These include operational information from the Fire Force, rainfall records from the Meteorology agency and relevant health statistics.

Officials said the quality and availability of the data will determine how effectively the proposed visualisation tools can support planning, coordination and decision-making.

The engagement has also expanded beyond immediate digital tools to consider the Fire Force’s longer-term technology architecture.

DSTI encouraged an integrated enterprise management approach rather than developing several standalone applications. Such a system could eventually link functions including human resources, payroll, inventory and operations.

Officials said future digital products should therefore be designed with integration in mind and guided by a clear Business Process Map and Product Requirements Document.

The discussions also considered experiences from digital transformation initiatives in Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia. DSTI stressed, however, that lessons from those countries must be adapted to Sierra Leone’s institutional structures and operational needs.

The ongoing engagement brings together DSTI, the Fire Force, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Information and relevant data-holding agencies as stakeholders work to establish the appropriate digital framework.

The broader objective is to create sustainable digital systems that improve institutional visibility and data management while strengthening coordination, preparedness and the country’s capacity to respond to disasters.