-To Build Fire Resilience
By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Monrovia, The Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) has announced a five-year strategic plan (2025–2030) requiring US$15 million in funding to transform the country’s approach to fire safety and disaster management.
The strategy, launched today at a stakeholder validation workshop in Monrovia, is built on five core pillars:
- Administration and Financial Management
- Capacity Building
- Operations and Logistics
- Prevention and Public Safety Policy
- Communications and Technology
Under the theme “From Response to Resilience: Building a Fire-Adapted Liberia Through Strategic System Strengthening,” the plan aims to shift Liberia from reactive firefighting to proactive prevention and community-based resilience.
LNFS Director General, Col. Alex Warsuwal Barvoul, stated that the strategy will address critical gaps in capacity, human resource development, technology, and innovation.
“This plan provides clear direction to strengthen our weaknesses, leverage opportunities, and advance our ability to combat fire disasters effectively across Liberia,” Barvoul said. He emphasized the need for strong partnerships with citizens and international allies to save lives and property.
Director Barvoul also highlighted public engagement as a persistent challenge, noting that many citizens misuse the emergency hotline (114) for non-emergencies.
“Everyone must contribute to ending fire disasters through awareness. We all must put our hands on deck to ensure our communities are safe,” he urged.
The launch event drew supportive statements from key institutions.
Assistant Minister for Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Justice, Atty. Gabriel Ndupellar, praised the LNFS for its forward-looking vision and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting emergency preparedness reforms.
A representative from the Governance Commission stressed the urgency of addressing Liberia’s rising fire incidents, stating, “We cannot continue to ignore the destruction of schools, natural resources, homes, and property across the country. No monetary value can be placed on the human lives and irreplaceable assets lost to fire.”
International and private sector partners also pledged continued collaboration.
Americares Liberia, represented by Project Manager Frenny Taylor Diggs, called for proactive preparedness, improved building safety standards, and better data collection to advocate for increased government funding.
Orange GSM Liberia, through Crisis Management Officer Robert N. George, announced plans to support the LNFS with public SMS fire-safety alerts, especially during the festive season. The company also highlighted its recent sponsorship of Liberian firefighters for advanced training in Paris.
The LNFS strategic plan is now positioned as a national framework to enhance coordination, prevention, emergency response, and community engagement over the next five years, pending the mobilization of the required US$15 million in support.
