Published: April 2, 2026
Equipment donated to the Fire Service by the International Training Group
MONROVIA — In the wake of numerous fire outbreaks, particularly in slum, commercial, and market areas, there is a critical need for enhanced safety measures and structural improvements including equipment.
Recent incidents in Liberia especially in the nation’s capital Monrovia have highlights significant institutional dysfunctions to include the lack of inadequate logistics and outdated firefighting equipment, poor institutional funding and human resource capacity, the lack of continuous professional training, performance evaluation systems, the weak inter-agency coordination and minimal regulatory oversight on fire safety imparts.
Currently, the LNFS faces low budgetary support from the government that impede its operations and rejuvenation.
Amidst these challenges, the International Training Group of Companies, in collaboration with its U.S.-based partner, the International Training Force on Friday, March 27, 2026 donated several fire safety equipment to the Liberia National Fire Service valued at US$250.000.
The ceremony held in Monrovia at the Fire Service headquarters on Newport Street brought together several government officials to include Liberia’s Minister without Portfolio, Mamaka Bility, Speaker of the House of Representatives Richard Nagbe Koon and other top dignitaries.
The donated items included 70 pairs of boots, 21 AED machines, gauze sponges and cotton supplies, 55 body census/safety items, 10 helmets, 6 face shields, 102 pairs of pants, one stretcher, 103 jackets, and 133 hoses. The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are meant to help protect frontline firefighters throughout Liberia.
Prince N. Kiepea, the Battalion Fire Chief makes donation of fire equipment to the Fire Service Photo Zeze Ballah
“Today, we are not gathered to commission machinery under the Liberia National Fire Service equipment program 005A but rather here to deliver a clear and resolute message to the people of Liberia, which is your government is actively working to protect your lives, families and livelihoods,” Bility said.
For a long time, according to Bility, Liberians have witnessed the devastating toll of fire outbreaks in their various communities with home being reduced to ashes, businesses destroyed and tragically precious lives lost, adding “every time the alarm bell rings, it is a race against time but bravery along cannot extinguish a raging fire and employees of the Fire Service need the right tools to match their courage”.
Mamaka Bility, Liberia’s Minister without Portfolio speaks at the donation ceremony Photo Zeze Ballah
“Let this equipment extend your reach and reduce response times across our communities,” Bility emphasized.
Speaker Koon admonished Liberians to put their hands around members of the International Training Group to continue advocating for Liberia to get more fire equipment.
Koon reaffirmed the Legislature’s commitment to supporting the Fire Service.
A cross section of dignitaries at the donation ceremony Zeze Ballah
For his part, G. Warsuwah Barvoul Sr, the Fire Service Director noted that the issue of fire outbreaks and its prevention in the country is not a one-man business but rather the collective effort of all Liberians and our foreign friends residing in our borders.
At the same time, the International Training Group’s co—heads, Garcon Morweh and the Battalion Fire Chief Prince N. Kiepea, reaffirmed their unflinching support to the LNFS, stressing the donation marks the fourth to the Fire Service”.
The groups mission is to equip and provide effective training to those who protect lives, ensuring they have the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to serve their communities with excellence.
The groups comprehensive range of services includes basic and advanced first aid training, fire safety instruction, disaster response preparation, and emergency medical services training. They also offer specialized equipment such as personal protective gear, medical supplies, firefighting tools, and communication devices.
In addition, the groups believe in the power of collaboration and innovation. Through partnerships with local and international organizations, they bring cutting-edge technology and best practices to the communities they serve. The commitment to integrity, excellence, and safety drives the groups to continuously improve their offerings and support the well-being of first responders to address the evolving needs of our clients.
Meanwhile, the groundbreaking ceremony for a modern fire station in Montserrado fourth district took place at the Burger Wheat Junction, Soul Clinic, on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
The project, initiated by Representative Michael Thomas, represents a major step toward strengthening fire prevention in one of Monrovia’s densely populated areas without adequate fire emergency services.
Representative Michael Thomas of Montserrado fourth district Photo Zeze Ballah
Rep. Thomas described the initiative as a landmark achievement for the district, stressing its importance in addressing the longstanding challenges associated with fire outbreaks and delayed in emergency response.
“This fire station is not being built with funds from my pocket but rather it is the collective effort of the community dwellers,” he said. While financial support matters, Thomas asserted that the commitment and contributions of stakeholders in the community matters significantly.
He emphasized that the planned facility will be equipped with modern firefighting tools, trained personnel, and improved logistics to ensure rapid response across the district and nearby communities adding, “the project is centered on saving lives and protecting property”
The International Training Group’s co—heads, Garcon Morweh and the Battalion Fire Chief Prince N. Kiepea at the groundbreaking ceremony Photo Zeze Ballah
When completed, the fire station according to Rep. Thomas will be a community-owned and is expected to serve as a critical hub for fire safety, emergency preparedness, and public awareness—further reinforcing efforts to safeguard lives and property across the district.
The LNFA director commended the lawmaker for the initiative and pledged the institution’s full support upon completion.
Prince N. Kiepea, the Battalion Fire Chief speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony Photo Zeze Ballah
The Liberia National Fire Service serves as a vital pillar in the nation’s security and public safety architecture charged with the core responsibility of safeguarding lives, property, and the environment against fire and related hazards.
The LNFS was established 1943 through an Act of the Legislature and has evolved from its municipal roots into a national institution responsible for emergency response, fire prevention, public safety awareness, and the enforcement of fire regulations across Liberia’s fifteen counties.
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