The 2019 Auditor General’s report indicated that Sierra Leone National Fire Force (NFF) does not have enough firefighting equipment like fire engines, no rescue equipment such as breathing apparatus (BA set) to prevent fire fighters against hazardous fumes, no break-in tools and no Very High Frequency (VHF) radio communication equipment for easy transmission of vital information during fire operations.
According to the Report, there are only 11 fire engines in the Western. It also made it clear that out of the 298 hydrants that were in operational some 10 years ago in the city of Freetown, only three remains operational.
Going forward, the report also noted that the lack of equipment by the National Fire Force has attracted the attention of the World Bank who has shown commitment to provide the following: 445 Communication equipment, Some VHF stations, VHF mobiles and VHF handhelds, Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) and Structural Fire Equipment which include protective clothing, helmets, boots, gloves, breathing apparatus complete with air compressors and vehicle rescue tools.
According to the report, the official response from the Chief Fire Officer endorsed that the observations about the limited number of fire engines is quite correct.
The report noted that, during audit staffs eligibility to medical facility and insurance policy were not submitted for the auditor to verify, and that the issues surrounding medical scheme remains unresolved.
The report recommended that the Chief Fire Officer should factor the procurement of additional fire engines as proposed in the 2021 budget and the Guma Valley Water Company should reopen all existing hydrants within the municipality to fire fighters during operation.
By George M.O. Williams
8/01/2021. ISSUE NO:7975