To bolster Liberia’s fire safety standards, a two-man delegation from the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) under the leadership of Director Col. G. Warsuwah Barvoul attended Intersec 2025 in Dubai, a premier global exhibition for fire protection, safety, and prevention.
The delegation included Deputy Director for Operations Col. P. Edwin Tisdell and Lt. Col. Lemuel Hne Harris Jr., who were invited as honored guests by the Dubai Civil Defence (DCD). The event served as a platform for forging international collaborations aimed at improving fire safety measures across the globe.
During the exhibition, the Dubai Civil Defence launched its ambitious “1 Billion Readiness Initiative,” an unprecedented global campaign designed to educate one billion people on fire safety and prevention by 2027. This initiative is part of Dubai’s commitment to enhancing global fire protection and readiness, with the support of 34 countries and significant firefighting organizations. The program’s goals align with the UAE’s broader vision of advancing global safety and security through collaborative international efforts.
Representing Liberia, Col. Tisdell addressed a global audience, bringing attention to LNFS’s fire safety and response operations challenges. His presentation outlined the critical need for international partnerships to strengthen Liberia’s fire safety capacity and emphasized the potential for Liberia’s involvement in this global initiative. He spoke about the role Liberia could play in helping to spread fire safety awareness and prevention techniques within the country and the broader African region.
The LNFS delegation also had the opportunity to tour cutting-edge firefighting facilities operated by the DCD, including a state-of-the-art land-based fire station and the world’s first fire station built on water. These visits provided valuable insights into the latest firefighting technologies and infrastructure, which will be pivotal in enhancing the capabilities of Liberia’s fire service. The delegation witnessed firsthand the advanced tools and strategies used to combat fire hazards in urban and coastal settings.
One of the key takeaways from the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the LNFS and the DCD, aimed at strengthening Liberia’s fire safety operations. The MOU, signed by Col. Tisdell and Major General Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, Director General of the DCD, marks the beginning of a partnership that will provide Liberia with vital resources and expertise. The agreement also includes the donation of fire engines, which will be shipped to Liberia in the coming months to bolster the LNFS’s ability to respond to emergencies.
In addition to the MOU, the DCD committed to sending a delegation to Liberia to facilitate the smooth integration of the donated fire engines into the LNFS’s operations. This donation is expected to improve Liberia’s firefighting capacity significantly, providing critical equipment to respond to fire-related emergencies nationwide.
The DCD’s involvement in global fire safety efforts, including the 1 Billion Readiness Initiative, underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing fire hazards, particularly in developing nations like Liberia. The Hope Convoys project, a cornerstone of the initiative, will support countries like Liberia by supplying fire safety equipment and establishing fire stations. These efforts are designed to improve emergency preparedness and response capabilities, ensuring that developing nations are better equipped to deal with fire-related disasters.
The significance of Liberia’s participation in Intersec 2025 cannot be overstated. The insights gained from the event will undoubtedly contribute to the LNFS’s modernization and the improvement of its operational capacity. By forging strong partnerships with global leaders in fire safety, Liberia is positioning itself to meet the growing demands of fire prevention and emergency response in an increasingly complex world.
As Liberia faces numerous challenges in firefighting and disaster response, collaboration with the Dubai Civil Defence and other international fire safety organizations will be essential in achieving long-term improvements. The lessons learned and the relationships established at Intersec 2025 will strengthen Liberia’s fire safety infrastructure and ensure a safer future for all Liberians.
The LNFS’s participation in Intersec 2025 marks a significant step forward in Liberia’s commitment to fire safety and emergency preparedness. Through ongoing collaboration with the DCD and other global partners, Liberia is set to enhance its fire safety standards, improving its response to emergencies and the overall safety of its citizens. With the support of international partners and a commitment to continuous improvement, the future of firefighting in Liberia looks brighter than ever.
