The Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service (LNFRS) on Friday, October 28, 2022, initiated a major needs assessment of various fire substations in the country, beginning with major fire depots across Montserrado.

The LNFRS said the assessment was necessary to catalog and take prompt actions were necessary aimed at the ensuring safety of lives and properties across the country.

The Director General of the LNFRS, Col. Alex K. Dickson during the tour particularly in Montserrado County told reporters that President George M. Weah is concerned about fire disasters across the country.

Col. Dickson revealed that five mini Fire Engines (fire trucks) that are capable to move into jammed-parked communities and one firefighter ambulance are shortly expected in the country.

According to him, the arrival of the mini fire trucks will boost the LNFRS capacity in the fire against fire disasters adding, the LNFRS will be in control of about thirteen fire trucks to fight fire incidents across the country.

The LNFRS boss narrated that at the onset of George Weah’s administration, there was only a fire engine, but due to the President’s apt negotiation, the LNFRS received five fire engines from Liberia-friendly partners.

Col. Dickson used the opportunity of the tour to thank the gallant men and women of the LNFRS for their dedicated services rendered to the state.

“As firefighters, the work you do is sacrificial despite the salary you are paid,” Col. Dickson said. “ Your job is a calling and not a vocation,” the Fire Chief asserted.

During the assessment of the various fire depots, several bags of rice including sachets of water and a cash purse were given to each depot as motivation for the work they do.

Also, the firemen who were seen upbeat at the presence of their boss to their areas of assignment praised Col. Dickson for the visit noting, his presence and motivation inspired them to serve more with diligence and integrity.

However, they called on authorities at the LNFRS to augment their operational needs including mattresses for men on sanctuary at night, regular medication for firefighters as well as indoor latrine facilities.

In response to the firemen’s request, Col. Dickson promised prompt action in delivering the needs of the firemen.

Col. Dickson clarified that the materials to be given the firemen were in addition to materials like mattresses and medication that are already deposited at every fire depot in the country.

The fire depots toured by the Fire Chief and team include Station 5 (S-5) in Paynesville which Col. Dickson said is currently under renovation to be used as a clinic for firemen in the country as well as serve community dwellers.

Other fire depots are the Sergeant Francis Sewon Memorial Station (S-4) at Stephen Tolbert Estate, Col. Nathaniel Wesseh Memorial Station (S-2) on the Bushrod Island at Bong Mines Bridge, and Station One (S-1) at Ashmun and Gurley Streets intersection in Central Monrovia.

Col. Dickson was accompanied by the Assistant Director General for Administration of the LNFRS, Col. Beauty Karrow, madam Korpo S. Morris, Chief of procurement, the Gender Officer assigned at the LNFRS, madam Veronica Cassel, representatives of the LNFRS Human Resources department amongst others.