By: Wilmot KonahEmail: dadekolly20@gmail.com
Gbarnga, Bong County – The Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) has launched a comprehensive assessment tour of its detachments in Bong, Nimba, and Lofa Counties. The initiative aims to evaluate the current challenges facing the agency and to raise fire safety awareness among residents of these counties.
This assessment comes amid a surge in fire incidents across the country and seeks to gather vital data for informed response planning and policy recommendations to the government, particularly through the Ministry of Justice.
Speaking on a live radio interview in Gbarnga on Monday, June 16, 2025, Col. Kesselly Sumo (Assistant Director for Operations), Lt. Col. Michael Dangbuah (Chief of Human Resources), and Col. James Blackie (Chief of Inspectorate) highlighted several persistent challenges faced by the LNFS. These include a lack of adequate personnel, insufficient firefighting equipment, and low budgetary support.
Despite these hurdles, the officials expressed optimism, noting increased support from the current administration under President Joseph Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung.
“We are grateful to the government, particularly this administration, for recognizing the importance of the fire service,” the officials stated. “Currently, we have eight functional fire trucks, with additional units expected to arrive soon.”
To strengthen the agency’s firefighting capabilities, the LNFS, with anticipated government support, is working toward expanding its workforce to at least 1,500 personnel and establishing functional fire stations nationwide, especially in densely populated areas.
The fire service is also appealing to lawmakers, humanitarian organizations, and citizens to support its efforts by donating fire trucks, building fire stations, and supplying essential equipment.
In Bong County, the LNFS is calling on the county administration to provide land and other resources necessary for constructing a local fire station—part of a broader strategy to decentralize fire services across Liberia.As part of its reform agenda, the agency hopes to increase its contribution to the national budget by strictly enforcing fire safety laws and regulations.
Currently, the LNFS is reinforcing its ban on the sale of petroleum products in unprotected containers, such as open jars, which pose serious fire hazards.
“We urge our people, especially street vendors known as ‘can-boys,’ to comply with fire safety protocols,” said Col. G. Warsuwah Barvoul, Director General of the Liberia National Fire Service. “In the coming days, we will begin strict enforcement of these regulations.”
Historically, the LNFS has been one of the most underfunded government agencies. However, with growing recognition of its critical role, there is renewed hope that the service will be rebranded, better equipped, and empowered to fulfill its constitutional mandate.
