Published: November 26, 2025
Paynesville, Liberia: A sweeping campaign to curb Liberia’s recurring fire disasters has taken off, driven not just by government institutions but by a bold public–private partnership that places communities at the center of prevention.
At the forefront is the Center for Public–Private Development (CeppDev Liberia), working alongside the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) to transform how citizens understand and respond to fire risks. The nationwide Fire Prevention Awareness Campaign, launched over the weekend in Paynesville, marks one of the most coordinated grassroots safety initiatives seen in recent years.
According to CeppDev’s Team Lead, Abraham Varney, the campaign is intentionally designed to shift responsibility from reactive firefighting to proactive community engagement.
“Fire prevention is not the work of one institution,” Varney said. “It is a shared civic duty. We are giving communities the tools they need from identifying electrical hazards to safely managing flammable materials. When people have knowledge, they have power.”
The campaign arrives at a critical moment. Liberia has faced a troubling rise in fire incidents, including destructive outbreaks in Monrovia and Paynesville that have displaced families and gutted small businesses. These tragedies underscore what CeppDev describes as “the urgent need for prevention before disaster strikes.”
While the LNFS provides technical expertise under the leadership of Hon. G. Warsuwah Barvoul, Sr., CeppDev is leading the community mobilization strategy the heart of the initiative. Working through schools, local associations, and grassroots structures, the organization plans to deploy workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on training sessions across all counties.
Residents welcomed the approach. “CeppDev coming into our community means we can finally learn how to protect ourselves,” said Fatmata Kormah , a Paynesville resident. “We don’t want to keep seeing homes burn and families suffer.”
Local leader James Tarnue echoed the sentiment: “Before now, many of us didn’t understand how easily fires start. With this program, we’re learning responsibility and prevention. It will save lives.”
The campaign aligns with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.’s ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes inclusive development through strong public private collaboration. CeppDev’s involvement illustrates how civil society and government can jointly strengthen national resilience.
Fire experts note that most local fires stem from unattended cooking, faulty wiring, and unsafe handling of combustibles all preventable causes. CeppDev’s programming directly targets these risks with practical, accessible training.
Hon. Barvoul emphasized the stakes: “A fire can erase years of hard work in minutes. Awareness and preparedness are our best defense. Communities must take the lead.”
A key message woven throughout the initiative is vigilance. Citizens are being urged to report hazards and unsafe practices, reinforcing the idea that fire prevention is a collective responsibility.
As Liberia continues to urbanize, with densely populated settlements expanding rapidly, the importance of this campaign cannot be overstated. CeppDev and the LNFS, with technical support from SATEC Liberia, hope that empowering communities with knowledge will not only reduce fire incidents but instill a lasting culture of safety.
Under the campaign’s rallying cry “A Safer Liberia Starts With You” organizers say the goal is simple yet transformative: Make fire prevention a daily habit, not an afterthought, and build a nation where awareness saves lives long before flames can threaten them.
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