+ Sign me up!

How do I sign up to go?

Fill out an application, pay your $300 application fee & deposit, and send us your resume and a color copy of your passport. We will review your resume and check your references and confirm your participation with you!

Am I qualified to go?

If you are willing to serve, you are probably qualified to go! AFM believes that everyone can contribute to the work we are doing with firefighters overseas. If you have extensive fire experience, little fire experience, no fire experience, we can use you. If you are a fire chief, firefighter, paramedic, fire instructor, fire officer, fire prevention officer, chaplain, peer supporter, EMT – you will be able to apply your skills – if we didn’t list your specialty, we can still use your skills!! Legal stuff: We do conduct background checks and references to ensure that you are a fit for our team.

I’m not a firefighter or EMT – what can I do?

We are excited when non-firefighters/non-EMT's want to join our trips! Africa Fire Mission will put you to work with our team! It may be that you are supporting the logistics of the team, taking photos, helping with communication or perhaps utilizing other skills. We always provide community fire prevention training, and our training in this area is written in such a way that anyone can do it. Developing relationships and supporting the firefighters we are serving is another great way you can contribute. We will find a place for you to serve as a valuable member of our team!

What if I don’t have a passport?

Get one! Our trip deadlines provide plenty of time for you to apply to have your passport in time for the trip. For international travel your passport will need to be valid for 6 months after your scheduled return or you will need to update your passport prior to departure.

+ Cost

How much does it cost?

Generally our mission trips cost between $4000-$5000 - this varies based on the location and anticipated airfare for the team.

What does the cost include?

Africa Fire Mission’s cost includes: Airfare, Lodging (double occupancy), Transportation, Mission Supplies/Expenses, Visa’s, Partial Meal Stipend, Trip Insurance/Medical, 2 AFM Shirts

What other costs are there?

Extra personal costs may include - Passport, Immunizations, Souvenirs, Additional Food, and any extra travel that you might choose to add to your trip (including an optional safari).

When are the funds for the trip due?

There will be 3 deadlines for payment of trip expenses 1) application fee and deposit 2) first payment (generally half of mission costs – due 4-6 weeks after the application date) and 3) second payment (generally the second half of the total mission cost due about 8 weeks prior to travel). Missing a trip deadline could result in your not being able to travel with the team or being responsible for additional costs that AFM may incur. The first payment may vary based on the cost of airfare.

+ Fundraising

Can I fundraise for the trip?

Yes, in fact we encourage you to raise funds for your trip. Africa Fire Mission is a 501 (c)(3) organization so funds may be tax deductible. We encourage you to start raising funds as soon as you have sent in your application and deposit and have been approved as an AFM team member. Participants in Africa Fire Mission’s Trips are responsible for raising their own support. Plan to contribute your own funds and involve others in raising funds. Africa Fire Mission trips raise awareness for Africa Fire Mission by expanding supporters and financial contributors.

What if I can’t get enough money to go?

Without the funds you will be unable to participate in the mission with us. If you are concerned about raising the funds, please contact us before the payment deadlines to let us know your concerns so we can help you figure out a plan to raise the additional funds. We have seen communities come together to support people to go! With a little work and creativity you’ll have the funds to go!

How can I raise funds for my trip?

AFM has a crowd funding platform that you can use to raise funds. We encourage you to write letters to friends and family, use social media and send e-mails to those that might contribute. They can contribute through our crowdfunding platform or write checks to Africa Fire Mission. We have also had team members raise funds through businesses, fundraising events and other creative ideas – if you have an idea please check with us and we will help you get started however we can.

+ Cancellation

What if something happens and I can’t go on the trip?

Job changes, family situations, medical needs – things come up. We understand, please let us know as soon as you know that you can’t go on the trip so we can make plans for how to cover the training needs of the mission.

What happens to the money for my trip if I have to cancel?

If something should happen that does not allow you to travel with the team, donations will be used for other Africa Fire Mission goals and projects. Once donations are received by Africa Fire Mission - the donations are not refundable. Africa Fire Mission does obtain trip insurance that may allow you to recover your airfare and some other costs in the case of an emergency.

+ Safety

Is it safe?

There is always risk in travel (both domestic and international), however we work with local mission organizations and the fire service to help ensure the places we are going are safe. We register our teams with the US State Department and frequently check for any travel advisories.

What Immunizations do I need?

This will depend on the trip. AFM does not give medical advice - we do advise you to check with your doctor or to go to a travel clinic like Passport Health to get recommendations and immunizations. The CDC offers recommendations for travel immunizations at the CDC's website.

What about COVID-19?

AFM closely monitors travel recommendations and adhearing to US State Department and our local partner's recommendations regarding travel. Currently the COVID-19 Vaccine is NOT currently required for travel by any of the countries where we serve

+ Travel

Will we meet up with all the team members in the US before we go on the mission?

Our team members are from all over the world. To reduce costs, we do our best to meet up with team members along the journey – often the team will meet at an airport in Europe and then travel the rest of the way together. We will have online video calls before the travel so we can all meet virtually before we leave.

Will we see parts of the country as well?

We will generally have one day that we will have a tourist day in the country where we are serving. Our mission does not specifically have any additional travel included in the cost, however when we can we will offer a safari or other excursion that you can add on to your trip for an additional cost. You are also welcome to make additional plans outside of the team’s itinerary at the end of the trip. Please communicate with the team leader, before the first payment is due, if you would like to do this at your own expense.

Can I add time for vacation as a part of our trip?

Our mission does not specifically have any additional travel included in the cost, however when we can we will offer a safari or other excursion that you can add on to your trip. You are also welcomed to make additional plans outside of the team’s itinerary at the beginning or end of the trip. Please communicate with the team leader if you would like to do this at your own expense. At times modifying the travel from the team’s itinerary will be an additional cost that will be added to your pledge to AFM. Additional costs (lodging, flights, meals, tourist activities) must be handled on your own.

+ Accommodations

Where will we be staying?

This varies by mission. We work hard to have comfortable accommodations for team members. Team costs are based on having one roommate. Generally, hotels where we are staying will have breakfast provided and Wi-Fi available.

What’s the food like?

This varies by mission location. Most of the time we have access to food that may be different, but not unfamiliar. We do encourage you to try the local foods. We also encourage you to bring snacks that you like in case there is a meal you don’t like. We often have access to grocery stores where preferred foods can be purchased.

+ Communication Home

Can I call home?

Yes. Generally, we will help you get sim cards that can be used in country with your cell phone. (make sure your phone is unlocked to other carriers). You can also get an international calling plan with your US phone/sim card, but it is usually less expensive to use WiFi for calling using Whatsapp or FB Messenger or using a local sim card for calls. Your team leader will also have a cell phone you can use for calling home if needed.

+ Training

How will we prepare for the trip?

There will be 4 online team meetings before the trip that you will need to participate in and/or listen to the recording. We will talk about AFM’s training strategy, learn about the culture of the people and fire service where we will be serving and prepare for training you’ll be providing in these meetings. There will also be additional opportunities for you to work with the trip leader and your training cadre to prepare for training.

What kinds of training do we provide?

We decide the types of training we will provide based on 1) Team Members on the mission and 2) Needs and requests of the fire service where we will be serving. In the past, we have trained on Basic Firefighting Skills, Fire Investigation, Leadership, Incident Command Systems, Community Fire Prevention, EMS/First Aid, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Vehicle Extrication, Firefighter Mental Health, Firefighter Cancer Prevention. We also provide Bible studies and devotions that the firefighters are invited to participate in if they are interested.

Is there a language Barrier?

Sometimes, but not always. In Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and some other countries where we are working, we can use English for teaching. In some countries, we will use interpreters to assist with the communication.

What about the culture?

Our team meetings will focus a lot on the culture of the country where we will be serving and will help to prepare you for the differences you might experience as well as how to modify training due to cultural expectations.