By: Amadu Wurie Timbo
The Sierra Leone National Fire Force has deployed a new modern fire engine to Makeni, strengthening the city’s capacity to respond to fire outbreaks and other emergencies.
The arrival of the new fire appliance was witnessed by fire service personnel and officials, who inspected the vehicle and its specialised firefighting equipment before it was officially deployed for operations.
The fire engine is equipped with a high-pressure water delivery system and modern firefighting facilities designed to improve emergency response. It has a storage capacity of 9,000 litres of water and 2,000 litres of firefighting foam concentrate, enabling firefighters to respond more effectively to structural fires and incidents involving flammable liquids.
According to Abdulai Gassama Bockarie, Regional Commander of the Sierra Leone National Fire Force North, the arrival of the new fire engine is timely, particularly amid concerns over recurring fire incidents across the region.
“This fire engine has arrived at the right time. Fire incidents continue to make headlines, while our old fire engine has been undergoing maintenance. Once it is fully repaired, it will serve as an additional operational vehicle. We have faced numerous challenges because the old engine frequently broke down, and unlike ordinary vehicles, not every mechanic can repair it. Even obtaining spare parts often requires shipment through DHL, resulting in delays that affected our emergency response,” Commander Bockarie said.
He assured residents that the new appliance would significantly strengthen firefighting operations in Makeni and improve the Fire Force’s ability to respond to emergencies. However, he stressed that preventing fires and minimising their impact also require greater public awareness and cooperation.
“We encourage citizens to observe fire safety precautions, avoid actions that could lead to fire outbreaks and promptly report any suspected fire or emergency. This new fire engine is dedicated to Makeni and is now fully operational. Other district headquarters in the North and North-East regions will also receive similar fire engines, except Karene and Falaba, which will continue to be served through their parent districts from which they were de-amalgamated,” he added.
The development has been welcomed by residents, particularly in communities that have recently experienced devastating fire incidents.
Samuel Kamara, a resident of Yeade Street, where a recent fire destroyed a family home, described the deployment of the new fire engine as a significant boost to public safety and emergency preparedness.
“When the fire occurred in our community, we watched helplessly as families lost their homes and belongings. The arrival of this new fire engine gives us confidence that firefighters will be able to respond more quickly and effectively in future emergencies. We appreciate the government’s investment and urge everyone to play their part by observing fire safety measures,” Kamara said.
The deployment is expected to improve the operational capacity of the Fire Force in Makeni, particularly at a time when equipment reliability and rapid response remain critical to protecting lives and property.
With the new fire engine now operational and the existing appliance expected to return to service after repairs, the Makeni Fire Station is set to have strengthened capacity to respond to emergencies across the city and surrounding communities.