Liberia National Fire Service, Partner Launches Nationwide Fire Prevention Awareness Drive

PAYNESVILLE CITY, LIBERIA: The Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS), in partnership with CeppDev Liberia Center for Public-Private Development, officially launched a nationwide Fire Prevention Awareness Campaign over the weekend in Paynesville City, outside Monrovia, under the theme: “A Safer Liberia Starts With You.”

Under the leadership of Director General G. Warsuwah Barvoul, Sr., the LNFS is taking bold steps to equip Liberians with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent fire disasters before they occur.

“This campaign is more than just awareness; it is a commitment to saving lives and protecting communities,” Barvoul said. “We have witnessed devastating fires in recent months, and it is high time that every Liberian takes fire prevention seriously. Knowledge is our first line of defense.”

The campaign comes in the wake of a massive proliferation in fire outbreaks across Liberia in the past year, including the tragic destruction of residential and commercial properties in Monrovia and Paynesville. These incidents have caused deaths, displaced hundreds of families, and resulted in untold economic losses.

Abraham Varney, Team Lead of CeppDev Liberia, emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying, “Preventing fires is a shared responsibility. Through this campaign, we aim to empower communities with practical skills, from handling electrical faults to proper storage of flammable materials. A fire can destroy a life in minutes, but knowledge can prevent it.”

The nationwide initiative is part of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in ensuring the safety and well-being of Liberians.

Community mobilization is at the core of the campaign as workshops, school programs, public awareness initiatives, and training sessions will be rolled out across the country to ensure every community has access to critical fire prevention information.

Madam Fatumata, a resident of Paynesville, shared her thoughts at the launch. “We have seen neighbors’ houses burn down. This campaign is important. We will now know how to prevent fires and protect our families. It gives us hope.”

For his part, James , a local community leader, said, “Before this, many of us didn’t know the simple steps to prevent fire. This program teaches us responsibility and awareness. Our neighborhoods will be safer because of it.”

Experts say that most fire incidents in Liberia are caused by unattended cooking fires, electrical faults, and careless handling of flammable materials. This campaign seeks to address these root causes through education and hands-on training.

LNFS Boss stressed the need for vigilance. “A fire can destroy in minutes what people have built in years. Awareness, preparedness, and community action are our most effective tools against this threat. Together, we can prevent disasters before they happen.”

The campaign also encourages citizens to report unsafe practices and fire hazards in their neighborhoods, ensuring that prevention is a collective responsibility rather than the sole task of authorities.

As Liberia grapples with rapid urbanization and crowded settlements, the importance of fire prevention awareness cannot be overstated. Every household, every school, and every business has a role to play in safeguarding lives and property.

“A Safer Liberia Starts With You,” the campaign slogan declares, reminding all citizens that fire safety is not optional but a shared duty, and that empowering communities with knowledge is the first step toward a resilient nation.

With nationwide deployment planned, CeppDev Liberia and the LNFS, with technical support from SATEC Liberia, hope this initiative will drastically reduce fire incidents and instill a culture of prevention, ensuring that Liberia becomes a safer place for all its citizens.