By S. Siapha Mulbah
As the world Commemorates International Firefighters Day, Liberian Firefighters are craving for more financial and logistical support to combat fire disasters more robustly across the country.
Liberia National Fire Service on Monday celebrated the World Firefighters Day at the historic Executive Pavilion where the men and women in uniforms called on government and other stakeholders to prioritize the sector in order to promote safety throughout the country so that infrastructures cannot be lost to fire.
At the occasion, the Director General of the Liberia National Fire Service, G. Warsuwah Barvoul, disclosed that firefighters are passionate professionals that have committed their lives to face imminent dangers as a way of saving lives and properties while ordinary citizens will seize every opportunity to get rescue where there is fire.
Despite all the challenges faced in the combating stage of fire outbreaks nationwide, the fire chief explained that the monthly salaries of those sacrificing their lives on the jobs remains unbelievably low due to financial appropriation to the fire department of the country.
He recognized all firefighters for their outstanding commitment to the daily operation of the fire service in the midst of tons of challenges.
“Our brave firefighters, we are good and happy that you are sacrificing your lives to save lives and properties. This is why today we are here to celebrate your service.”
Director Barvoul also stressed that the government through the national budget process supports the procurement of modern fire equipment and increases in the wages of those committed national service professionals who are make firefighting an achievable venture for the country.
According to him, the entity is also pushing the idea of decentralizing national fire service operations.
“We are also appealing to the Legislature to do more so that we can spread more fire stations across the country. We want to start with seven new fire stations across Monrovia since the city is challenged in getting trucks from one point to another.”
For his part, Montserrado County Senator, Darius Dillon, who graced the occasion as guest speaker acknowledged the work of firefighters, buttressing the call for more priority to the sector.
According to Senator Dillon, it is time for Liberia as a country to stop treating the outbreak of fire as a situation for occasional responses when the Liberia National Fire Service Should be adequately funded to serve the nation with the expertise of a professional workforce.
“Fire safety deserves to be a national priority because it is a national development initiative. We must give the attention we give hospitals and schools to the fire service so that we cannot lose those good infrastructures to fire,” he said.
The lawmaker cautioned Liberians to support the country’s fire safety mechanism by abiding by the laws that every building or vehicle should have a fire extinguisher available at all time to curtail fire outbreak from initial stage.
He also encouraged the Liberia National Fire Service to beef up its awareness across the country while there is engagement to have more funding shifted to the fire department in the next or future budget.
Every year, the world celebrates International Firefighters Day on May 4 because of their dutiful services rendered to the safety of the environment.
Liberian began this year’s activity with a Jummat prayer last Friday for Muslims in the service.
On Saturday, the celebration witnessed a one-day sporting tournament at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia where fire departments of different institutions faced off in Kickball and football.
Sunday May 4, firefighters held a Thanksgiving and Intercessory Prayer Service at the Triumphant Living Miracle Assemblies in Gardnersville.
The official ceremony was held at the Executive Pavilion on Monday May 5, 2025.
