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The National Fire Force has secured approval to recruit 200 new firefighters and acquired additional firefighting equipment as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response capacity across Sierra Leone.
The development was announced by Bintu Fatmata Kamara Esq., PRO/Legal Officer of the National Fire Force, who said the recruitment approval was obtained following an engagement with the Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh and the former Director General.
Kamara explained that the need for additional personnel had become urgent, particularly because some fire stations currently have infrastructure but lack sufficient personnel to operate them.
She said the final recruitment list has been completed and submitted to the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) for the necessary processing, with training expected to commence in October.
The Force has also received four brand-new multipurpose fire engines procured by the Government of Sierra Leone. Kamara said two have already arrived and are in use, while the remaining two are expected before the end of the year.
In addition, the Fire Force has secured two fire engines donated by Spain, following engagements facilitated through the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to Kamara, firefighters from Spain accompanied the donated vehicles and provided training to local personnel on their operation, alongside additional equipment.
The Government has also constructed new fire-station facilities in Barmoi, Port Loko, Matru Jong, Pujehun and Kabala, with the Force awaiting their commissioning.
Kamara said fire-station structures are now available in almost all district headquarters towns, except Falaba and Kailahun, although the stations require personnel and firefighting equipment before becoming fully operational.
She added that the Makeni Fire Station has also received a new fire engine to replace an old vehicle that had been in service for more than 15 years and had become increasingly unreliable.
The developments, she said, are expected to improve the Force’s capacity to respond to emergencies across the country.
