November 16, 2021
By Dadson Musa
Fire incidents anywhere are not pleasant experiences. And the occurrence of any fire accident leaves people reeling from its devastating effects. The loss of lives, property and sometimes livelihood are always the after-effects of fire incidents. The National Fire Force was created by an Act of Parliament but that department has badly suffered lack of requisite support from government and so has underperformed its constitutional duties of saving lives and properties. Fire incidents in Sierra Leone generally are lately or poorly responded to. By the time the fire fighters are there the damage would have been done and losses incurred.
At the regional office in Bo which covers four districts, Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba and Pujehun there work basically just covers Bo town. This is because what they have is not even enough to fight fire in the township of Bo let alone the other districts. Bo is a bustling business center by virtue of it being the second capital city of Sierra Leone. So the town in particular needs safety from fire incidents at all times. Is that the situation on the ground?
I am afraid hell no. Ansu Lahai Pumagoi who is in charge of that office laments the condition under which he works with his staff. He took over the regional office on 17th October 2018 with just one fire engine which takes 12,000 litres of water with fifteen personnel. To his credit, a small engine has been added which carries 2,500 liters and an addition of eleven more workers which has made it twenty-six personnel now. That still is a small number compared to the area that must be covered. Pumagoi admits to not responding promptly to some fire incidents but boasts that they have “…….made successes “in putting out some fires in the district. In the region, Bonthe is the only district without a fire station and calls on government to speedily go about this. “We have a toll -free line which is 303 for Africell and Qcell for people to call us on when there is a fire incident”. They also sensitize and educate the public on fire-prevention measures. And for that they will need the media. Subventions to their office are never enough and they come late almost always. Gradually transformation is taking place in the fire force and he calls on the public to show patience and understanding as their work is a very risky one for which they do not get risk allowance.