Serving In Nigeria with FCT Fire Service and IHVN

It was great to be back in Abuja, Nigeria in January and early February!

An AFM team of six provided training to FCT firefighters, IHVN staff and partners from the “Committee of Stakeholders on the General Safety & Security of Cadastral Zone C00 Abuja FCT.” The training allowed the AFM team to assess the capabilities of the firefighters as well as gain a better understanding of the community’s perspective of firefighters. Training for the FCT Fire Service focused on enhancing fire response capabilities, promoting utilization of available equipment and tools for firefighting, and enhancing community awareness.

Team member Mike Kull elaborated that “we were able to provide quality training on a wide variety of topics - Breathing Apparatus, Ladders, Hose Drills - Firefighters from FCT Fire Service were eager to learn and we expect to see rapid and positive results from this training. We realize that development is a slow process but we have high hopes for the firefighters here in Nigeria.”

Head of Operations, FCT Fire Service, Engr. Adesina Abioye, stated that the training has updated Fire Service Staff with modern professional ways of rescue and firefighting, and served as a refresher course on fire prevention and administration for the Senior Staff who participated. “The importance of the partnership cannot be overemphasized; it has brought tremendous benefits to the partners and the stakeholders community. What would have cost the FCT administration a huge sum of money was made available at no cost due to partnership,” he said.

AFM also conducted a needs assessment to identify tools and equipment needed to further develop the FCT Fire Service and donated firefighting equipment. This equipment included firefighting coats, boots, gloves, suspenders and helmets for enhanced effectiveness in responding to fire incidents and saving lives, property, and critical infrastructure.

We are grateful that IHVN is committed to collaborating with FCT Fire Service to enhance the capabilities of the fire service and look forward to continued collaboration in Nigeria.

Africa Fire Mission Receives Major Grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation

October 17, 2023

Africa Fire Mission Receives Major Grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation

Africa Fire Mission (AFM) is a Cincinnati-based non-profit organization with team members of firefighters, chief fire officers and other first responders from across the United States, Canada and Europe. For eleven years, AFM has provided fire training and equipment in various parts of Africa.  AFM has announced they have received a $25,000 grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Foundation, to help continue its training programs and to provide a national Fire and EMS Training Symposium and Competition in Kenya in November 2023.

This grant will support hands-on Fire Training and distribution of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE).  In November, a team of thirty-five firefighters, EMT’s paramedics and other professionals from the United States will train over 500 Kenyan firefighters and EMT’s at the Jomo-Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya.

AFM’s training team members volunteer their time and pay their own expenses to travel to Africa to teach their fellow firefighters the latest techniques in firefighting, rescue and emergency medical services.

“Africa Fire Mission is grateful to Motorola Solutions Foundations for its continued support of our programs through this grant. It is because of dedicated volunteers and partners like Motorola Solutions Foundation that we are able to continue to impact communities and support firefighters in Africa as they strive to save lives and property” says Nancy Moore, Executive Director for Africa Fire Mission.

The Motorola Solutions Foundation, which has donated $100 million over the past 10 years, focuses its giving on three key areas: First responder programming, technology and engineering education, and programs that blend the two. The Foundation has a long-standing commitment to supporting programs that benefit underrepresented populations and aims to partner with organizations that align to its values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion.

"The Motorola Solutions Foundation is honored to partner with organizations like Africa Fire Mission that are actively driving positive change within the community," said Karem Pérez, vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and executive director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. "We are immensely proud of the work that Africa Fire Mission is doing, and we look forward to seeing their continued impact."

For additional information on the Motorola Solutions Foundation grants program, visit: motorolasolutions.com/foundation-grant-partner.

For additional information regarding Africa Fire Mission visit: www.africafiremission.org  - Contact Nancy Moore at 513-620-4236 or nancy@africafiremission.org

About Africa Fire Mission

Africa Fire Mission is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing the sustainable capacity of Fire Departments in developing communities. We accomplish this through training, empowerment, support and encouragement.

• Train – We partner with governments, NGO’s, missionaries, schools and corporations to provide education and training to firefighters and local communities. We use Community Health Education to teach firefighters and community members in Africa to protect themselves from the dangers of fire. We provide fire prevention training and fire safety assessments to schools ensuring the students are able to learn in an environment safe from fires.

• Empower – We work to increase the ability of communities in Africa to respond to disasters and provide relief when disasters occur.

• Support – We provide personal protective equipment and communication tools to fire services throughout Africa to allow fire departments to operate in a safer and more coordinator manner.

• Encourage – We build the capacity of African fire services so that local communities are able to provide sustainable public safety and disaster management services.

Where does AFM work?

Africa Fire Mission currently works throughout Africa including: Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia.

About the Motorola Solutions Foundation

As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the globe to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. Our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education, and align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company lives out its purpose of helping people be their best in the moments that matter. For more information on the Foundation, visit: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation

Kenya Stairclimb 2023

Kenya Stairclimb 2023

On September 16, 2023, firefighters gathered for a day of remembrance of fallen firefighters and a day of camaraderie and awareness of the fire service in Kenya.

Heels on Mountains collaborated with Africa Fire Mission for this year’s Annual Firefighter Stairclimb event in Kenya, which had a had a total of 65 participants! We are grateful to all the participants and sponsors of this event.

Heels on Mountains has continuously supported firefighters in Kenya since 2019, supporting 4 stairclimb events for firefighters at the Kenya International Conference Center . Thank you to everyone that participated: Mombasa County, Kenya Airports Authority, ICT Fire and Rescue, West Pokot County. We are grateful to individual Firefighters and EMT’s as well as supporters of First Responders.

Asanti sana. You helped Kenya be on the map as the only African country that commemorated the Twin Tower bombings with a stair climb activity.

Check out photos from the Kenya Stairclimb event here:

Supporting AFM's Programs

Thank you for being a part of AFM! - maybe you are regular donor and friend of ours, maybe you supported a team member that has trained firefighters in Africa, or maybe you have been part of an AFM event. Whatever your involvement - you are part of the work that is helping to develop fire services in Africa.   Thank you! I’m writing to ask you to continue to be part of the impact that AFM is making in Africa by giving financially to AFM.

Nearly every day I hear stories of firefighters that feel empowered to do their jobs in Africa.   I hear stories of community members who have started coming alongside the fire service in Africa and I learn about communities where lives have been saved due to the fire prevention work that is ongoing.   Your support to AFM makes all of this possible!

This is just SOME of what’s happened already this year:

• The Tochi and José Fire Safety Show is making a huge impact in Kenya with the Kenya Burn Society reporting that they have seen a 60% reduction in burns requiring hospital care compared to this time in 2022. We have 7 new episodes coming out by the end of 2023 to further expand our impact.

• 400 sets of firefighter personal protective equipment are being sent to Nigeria as part of a public-private partnership with FCT Fire Service, AFM & the Institute of Human Virology.

• AFM’s weekly online trainings are averaging over 65 training participants each week!

• AFM’s mission trip to Malawi in June resulted in training at all of the fire stations in Malawi and over 80% of the municipal firefighters in Malawi receiving training!   Our team members were encouraged to see the growth of the firefighters over the past year.   In addition to training we were also able to begin a mentoring program for the fire chief’s that we plan to grow in the coming year!

Every person needs to be safe from harmful fires. Africa Fire Mission is working to empower people with knowledge of how to harness fire for good: light, heat, cooking, so that they can be safe and secure in their homes. We are partnering with firefighters to ensure that they have the knowledge, training and equipment to effectively protect those they serve from unwanted fires and other disasters.  Will you help us continue to provide life-saving trainings and equipment in Africa?

Here are some ways your donations will be put to work:

• $25,000 provides funding for a Fire Safety Advocate in Africa.

• $5,000 allows us to produce an episode of the Tochi and José Fire Safety Show

• $200 allows to provide one hour of online training & certificates to 80 firefighters in Africa

• $50 helps us provide one set of firefighter PPE to firefighters in Africa

• $25 allows us to print one copy of our training of trainer’s curriculum so that firefighters and community members can train their community in fire prevention.  

• $10 provides one firefighter with safety gloves and eye protection

Our goal for this campaign is $50,400 – which will allow us finish our year strong and enables us to continue to expand our reach (requests are coming from Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia to expand our work). Will you help us continue to Train, Empower, Support and Encourage firefighters and communities in Africa with a gift to support the growth in our ongoing work?  

Here are some ways to contribute:

• Become a monthly donor or make a one-time donation - DONATE HERE >

• Mail a check to us:   P.O. Box 53242, Cincinnati, OH 45253

• Double your impact with matching funds from your employer

• Donate stock:   email me and I’ll send you the details

• Designate a gift to Africa Fire Mission in your estate

• Introduce us to individuals or businesses that might be interested in partnering with us financially

Thank you for providing firefighters and other first responders in Africa with the training and equipment they need to thrive and flourish and provides community members with life-saving fire prevention trainings.                                                                             

Please contact me directly if you have any questions about our programs and how you could get involved in our work!

With Gratitude, Nancy

Nancy L. Moore, LISW-S; Co-Founder & Executive Director

nancy@africafiremission.org

(513) 620-4236

SAVE THE DATE!

AFM’s annual event – The “Chama” -  Saturday, October 14, 2023

Cincinnati Fire Museum.

Keeping Firefighters Safe through PPE Donations

If you are a firefighter you probably know that gear expires. Maybe reading this, you are learning about the fire service and this might be new information to you. Either way, in the United States, NFPA codes dictate how long firefighter equipment can be used and when it needs to be replaced. For good equipment, the reason equipment expires is largely with the thought that within 10 years there are very likely new equipment safety technologies to keep firefighters safe.

Many firefighters in the world don’t have the luxury of new gear every 10 years. Additionally, much of the 10 year old gear is still effective in keeping firefighters safe from fire even if it is not the newest technology. As a result, Africa Fire Mission has partnered with fire departments across the US (and in Germany) to get quality used personal protective equipment to Africa.

In September 2022, AFM had a team visit FCT Fire Service in Abuja, Nigeria. While there, I asked one of the firefighters to allow me to inspect the label of his Turnout Coat. Bold of me, but important to the work that we do to understand the needs of the firefighters. When he a allowed me to look - I was expecting to see a label dated 30 years old based on the PPE I was looking at - instead there was no date and the label said that the garment was actually a “Firefighter Costume” with NO international approvals or rating. Our team educated the firefighters about their current equipment limitations and have been helping to advocate for a public private partnership with the Institute of Human Virology- Nigeria to support training and equipment for the fire service in Nigeria.

We are excited to have the opportunity to send over 300 sets of PPE to the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria. We will load a 20 foot container on August 5, 2023.

We need your help! We have most of the equipment we need for this shipment, but still need about 160 fire helmets! If you know a fire department that has decommissioned fire helmets that are still serviceable, please contact us and we will determine the best way to get the equipment to us in Cincinnati, Ohio.

We also need volunteers to help us load the equipment on August 5th! You can sign up to help by clicking this link:

Africa Fire Mission Supports Fire Service Development with White Papers

Africa Fire Mission Supports Fire Service Development with White Papers

by Nancy L. Moore, LISW-S, LCSW, CPCC, Executive Director and Co-Founder of AFM

It’s hard to believe that Africa Fire Mission has been working in Africa for over a decade. Since 2012, we have been working closely to provide training and consultation to the Fire Service in Africa. While our largest program is in Kenya, we have also worked directly in Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria and Ethiopia. We have provided consultation or equipment in other countries across Africa as well.

As we support the fire service, we continue to look for ways that we can grow our impact. Our next step in supporting the African fire service in developing communities is by providing more advocacy resources that will help leaders in Africa to be able to support a well functioning fire service. In order to support our advocacy efforts, AFM is drafting white papers to help provide quality information for African leaders to support decision making with developing programs, making equipment purchases or accepting used equipment donations.

All too often AFM has seen situations when fire service leaders know what they need and have a hard time articulating the need or justifying the costs of quality programs and equipment to the government officials making the budgetary decisions. Our hope is to provide quality information that is designed to support these advocacy efforts.

Our first white paper is now available and addresses the need for a quality Breathing Apparatus Program. Let us know what you think. More importantly, please utilize the white paper as a tool for advocacy when you need support!

Welcome our new board members!

As Africa Fire Mission continues to grow, our board of directors continues to be a vital part of supporting our growth toward the future. Africa Fire Mission is pleased to welcome Lori Thomas and Jerry Bennett to our Board of Directors.

Lori Thomas

Jerry Bennett

Lori Thomas is a Global Environmental Health and Safety Leader for GE Aerospace, Commercial Engines & Services, Edison Works, Military Systems. Her experience in Health and Safety at GE will support AFM’s growth in industrial fire services as well as supporting businesses in safety practices.

Jerry Bennett participated with AFM in 2021’s Kenya Mission and 2022 Nigeria. Jerry is a retired District Fire Chief from East Moline, IL. He currently lives in Iowa. Jerry’s experiences in Africa and his work in the fire service will support AFM’s program development and growth.

Growing Community Fire Prevention Programs

Growing Community Fire Prevention Programs - AFM’s first annual Fire Prevention Competition!

January 1, 2023

by: Nancy L. Moore, Executive Director

When my husband, Dave, and I arrived in Nairobi, Kenya in 2012 we immediately began to see the dangers of fires that are a reality of life in Africa. When we learned in 2014 that many firefighters in Zambia didn’t know the basics of fire prevention and fire safety we knew we had to do something.

From our partners at Missions of Hope International and CMF International we learned about Community Health Evangelism or Community Health Education and realized that there was very little education for developing communities on fire prevention and fire safety. So we worked together with firefighters in Africa, community members in Kenya and AFM’s American firefighter volunteers to develop a curriculum that would be culturally appropriate for developing communities.

We have trained thousands of firefighters and community volunteers in using our curriculum and have been able to track results as fire services in Africa report that communities that have received training call the fire brigade sooner in cases of fire outbreaks and that they have a better understanding of how the fire service works and what firefighters need from the community in order to do their job. In 2022, firefighters and community volunteers reported more than 520,000 people were educated in fire prevention and fire safety through training activities, community walks and fire prevention week activities. Through public television and radio more than 13 million people were received life saving fire safety education.

With more than 1 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa - there are many more people to reach with these important life safety lessons.

In 2023 AFM has launched an initiative to reach more people by encouraging training and reporting that training through our first annual Fire Prevention Competition. We will have 4 categories for participation:

• Individual Volunteer - someone who is not paid for trainings that they are providing.

• Individual Paid - someone doing this as a part of their job, in the fire service, private or public sector.

• Fire Brigade (paid firefighters this could be a recognition for the whole fire department what they submit across all shifts, etc).

• Groups- organization or informal group (this could be firefighters or community members that are not getting paid to do the trainings and are doing it on their own time)

Trainings reported and taking place from November 20, 2022- November 1, 2023 will be considered. For the competition, trainings must take place in Africa. Participants in the competition may use the Africa Fire Mission curriculum as a guide for what training content to include: https://www.africafiremission.org/fire-safety-curriculum

The requirements to be considered include:

1. Submit training documentation to Africa Fire Mission via this form: https://www.africafiremission.org/fire-safety-training-reporting

2. Submit pictures of the training to info@africafiremission.org

Submission reviews to determine winners of the competition:

• Africa Fire Mission will review the all of the submitted training reports for quality of training as well as number of persons trained.

• Training photos will also be reviewed and AFM should be able to tell what content is being taught through the photos evidence.

• Trainings may be done formally (for instance a classroom setting or community gathering) or informally community walk, media interviews)

Winners will be announced at the closing of the Kenya Fire EMS Symposium and Competition 2023, in Nairobi, Kenya, November 2023. Winners will also receive recognition on AFM social media and AFM’s monthly newsletter. A certificate will be issued to the winners as well as a gift (yet to be determined).

Please note: Individuals training together are considered a group, please have one person from the group submit the reports and list the name of the group with the training report. Duplicate trainings will be combined as one training report. If there are participants from multiple countries, awards may be issued by country. AFM staff will not be considered as part of the competition. AFM holds the full decision making over the winners of the competition.

Africa Fire Mission Receives Major Grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation

For Immediate Release

August 29, 2022

Africa Fire Mission Receives Major Grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation

Africa Fire Mission (AFM) is a Cincinnati-based non-profit organization with team members of firefighters from across the United States, Canada and Europe who for ten years have provided fire training and equipment in various parts of Africa.   AFM has announced that they have received a $25,000 grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation to help continue its training programs and to provide a national Fire and EMS Training Symposium and Competition in Kenya in November 2022.

This grant will support hands-on Fire Training and distribution of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE).  In November, a team of twenty-two firefighters, paramedics and nurses from the United States and Canada will train over 350 Kenyan firefighters and EMT’s at the Jomo-Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya.

AFM’s training team members volunteer their time and pay their own expenses to travel to Africa to teach their fellow firefighters the latest techniques in firefighting, rescue and emergency medical services.

“Africa Fire Mission is grateful to Motorola Solutions Foundations for its continued support of our programs through this grant.   Through continued partnership, we will be able to continue to impact communities and support firefighters in Africa as they strive to save lives and property” says Nancy Moore, Executive Director for Africa Fire Mission.

The Motorola Solutions Foundation, which has donated $100 million over the past 10 years, focuses its giving on three key areas: first responder programming, technology and engineering education, and programs that blend the two. The Foundation has a long-standing commitment to supporting programs that benefit underrepresented populations and aims to partner with organizations that align to its values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion.

The Motorola Solutions Foundation is proud to partner with organizations like Africa Fire Mission that share our values and passion for driving positive change in the community,” said Karem Perez, Executive Director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. “We believe in the work that Africa Fire Mission is doing and look forward to seeing their continued impact.

For additional information on the Motorola Solutions Foundation grants program, visit: motorolasolutions.com/foundation-grant-partner.

For additional information regarding Africa Fire Mission visit: www.africafiremission.org  - Contact Nancy Moore at 513-620-4236 or nancy@africafiremission.org

About Africa Fire Mission

Africa Fire Mission is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing the sustainable capacity of Fire Departments in developing communities. We accomplish this through training, empowerment, support and encouragement.

·        Train – We partner with governments, NGO’s, missionaries, schools and corporations to provide education and training to firefighters and local communities. We use Community Health Education to teach firefighters and community members in Africa to protect themselves from the dangers of fire. We provide fire prevention training and fire safety assessments to schools ensuring the students are able to learn in an environment safe from fires.

·        Empower – We work to increase the ability of communities in Africa to respond to disasters and provide relief when disasters occur.

·        Support – We provide personal protective equipment and communication tools to fire services throughout Africa to allow fire departments to operate in a safer and more coordinator manner.

·        Encourage – We build the capacity of African fire services so that local communities are able to provide sustainable public safety and disaster management services.

Where does AFM work?

Africa Fire Mission currently works in 6 countries throughout Africa including: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Zambia. In 2022, we are expanding our consultation work into Nigeria.  In 2018, a request to expand our services into Ukraine has led us outside of Africa and into Europe.

About the Motorola Solutions Foundation

As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the globe to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. Our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education, and align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company lives out its purpose of helping people be their best in the moments that matter. For more information on the Foundation, visit: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation

AFM serving in Ukraine

By Nancy Moore

AFM has been serving in Ukraine with our partners Tavriski Christian Institute (TCI) and the State Emergency Services Ukraine since 2019.  Our team that trained in 2019 remembers standing on the front defense lines from Crimea into Kherson and thinking how frightening war would be in that area. While we trained the firefighter we offered encouragement and connection to spiritual and mental health.

The firefighters in Ukraine are kind, giving, creative and brave. We were offered amazing hospitality while we trained alongside them. Firefighters in Ukraine are tasked with not only fighting fire, but also with disarming/recovering undetonated explosives and with providing psychological first aid to their community. Due to these somewhat unique functions, they were uniquely prepared to serve their community during the war in Ukraine. 

Personally, Dave and I have been connected to Ukraine since the mid-90’s. Our church was providing support to churches and Christians in the post-Soviet era and helped to form TCI. TCI is now fully Ukrainian run and is the only accredited Christian College in Ukraine.   

Located in Kherson, TCI’s staff evacuated their campus on the first day of war and staff were dispersed to various locations to continue serving. As a result of the war, TCI immediately began making plans to modify their ministry to serve the current needs of the country and to help churches serve their communities. TCI has 3 focuses right now: 1) Assist with safe evacuations from dangerous areas in Ukraine (both refugees and internally displaced persons) 2) Support churches financially that are serving their communities with resources especially for food and medical resources 3) Provide spiritual and emotional support. TCI is planning strategically for the current crisis, and is also preparing for the long term needs for humanitarian aid, Christian witness and eventual rebuilding of Ukraine.   

TCI is on the front lines of humanitarian aid for Ukraine and many of AFM’s partners are collaborating to support their efforts. Please be praying for their efforts and for Ukraine: You can sign up for daily prayer updates throughout March through IDES > sign up here

If you are looking for an organization to give financially to support the people of Ukraine – I encourage you to give through TCI’s US forwarding agent sign up here.

Firefighters in Ukraine are serving their community during this war.   Search and Rescue, removing explosives, assisting with community evacuations, fighting fires. I know their community is grateful for their service.

AFM is exploring ways to specifically support the firefighters in Ukraine – now and after the war (Equipment was a need before the war and there is still a need for more equipment).   We are also looking into ways that we can support the firefighter’s psychologically and spiritually.   If you are interested in getting involved with AFM’s efforts to serve firefighters in Ukraine please email info@africafiremission.org and we will get in touch with you!   

Here are some pictures from Ukraine as AFM worked there before the war:

Transitioning Leadership

by David A. Moore, Jr.

In late 2012, when I first shared the idea of creating the organization that would become Africa Fire Mission, my wife Nancy's reaction was one of bewildered amusement. 

My how things have changed since that night in 2012!  Africa Fire Mission has grown from an idea into an award-winning, international non-profit organization that has provided life saving training and personal protective equipment to thousands of firefighters on four continents.  When AFM started, all we needed was as small corner of our basement and now we occupy a professional office and storage facility. We have blossomed from a small group of volunteers in Cincinnati to a large, international, group of volunteers. 

Over the years, AFM has adapted to new opportunities and made many changes to best serve others.   January 3rd, 2022 marked a significant change in the leadership of AFM.  On that date, Nancy Moore was named Executive Director of AFM. 

As 2019 came to a close, I recognized that it was time to transition out of the role of Executive Director and we began the search for my replacement.  At this point, Nancy had taken on the role of Director of Programs for AFM and she was leading day-to-day operations.  The Board, along with Nancy and myself, recognized that she was the perfectly suited to be the next executive director. We have worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition. 

Nancy has spent years working in small business and non-profit management, social work, and the fire service. She is deeply committed to empowering our partners to continue their growth while supporting their changing needs. Nancy's diverse background gives her the mastery, leadership and vision to carry AFM into the future. 

As I step back from my role as ED and into my new role on the board of directors, I am excited to see the new places and programs that AFM is able to work in and on under Nancy's leadership.   

Please join me in congratulating Nancy on her new position and encouraging her as she grows AFM into the future.   

Sincerely,

David A. Moore Jr., MPA, CFO, MIFireE 

Founder, Africa Fire Mission

Africa Fire Mission Receives Major Grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation

For Immediate Release

September 28, 2021

Africa Fire Mission Receives Major Grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation

Africa Fire Mission (AFM) is a Cincinnati-based group of firefighters from across the United States who for nearly a decade have provided fire training and equipment to several African nations.   AFM has announced that they will receive a $ 30,000 grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation to help continue its outreach to train several fire brigades in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia through 2022.

This grant will support hands-on Fire Training and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) turnout gear scheduled for delivery in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia.  The 2021 Kenya trip that will take place from November 10th to 21st, will be partially supported by this grant, as well as four other scheduled team trips in 2022.

This distribution of needed fire equipment and training is only possible through the generosity of such organizations as the Motorola Solutions Foundation funded through the Motorola Corporation, a world-wide leader in the field of emergency communications equipment.  The AFM training staff consists of firefighters from departments that span across America, who volunteer their time and pay their own expenses to travel to Africa to teach their fellow firefighters the latest techniques in firefighting, rescue and emergency medical services.

“Africa Fire Mission is grateful to Motorola Solutions Foundations for its continued support of our programs through this grant.   We will be able to continue to impact communities and support firefighters in Africa as they strive to save lives and property” says Nancy Moore, Director of Programs for Africa Fire Mission.

AFM is a 501c3 corporation headquartered at 1373West Galbraith Road in North College Hill, Ohio.

Each year, the Motorola Solutions Foundation’s awards grants to charitable organizations such as Africa Fire Mission to support three primary areas of focus: first responder programming, technology and engineering education and programs that blend the two.

"The Motorola Solutions Foundation aims to partner with organizations that align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion," said Karem Perez, executive director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. "We are proud to support organizations like Africa Fire Mission that embody these values while driving positive change in their communities.” 

For additional information:

Motorola Solutions Foundation grants program: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation - Contact Sarah Packard at sarah.packard@motorolasolutions.com


Africa Fire Mission: www.africafiremission.org  - Contact Nancy Moore at 513-620-4236 or nancy@africafiremission.org, or Robert Rielage at 513-728-9978.

Meet Firefighter Kennedy

by Nancy Moore

I traveled to Isiolo, Kenya in July 2021, our Fire Safety Advocate, Jose and with Raphael and Steve from Missions of Hope International. It was finally time to meet with Fire Chief Wako and see face to face the young fire brigade in Northern, rural Kenya. They have formed a new fire brigade and are less than three years old.

While we were getting to know the firefighters there we noticed Kennedy. He stood out with a friendly grin and a confident presence. He also stood back - tucked behind some of the other fire fighters. José noticed right away that Kennedy had an amputated leg. As we talked with Kennedy and Chief Wako we learned that Kennedy was in a motor bike accident that resulted in the injury that led to his leg being amputated - while he was in the process of becoming a firefighter.

Chief Wako said he could see the spirit that Kennedy had and decided that he could use Kennedy on his team - in spite of his amputation. Kennedy serves as the Isiolo Fire Brigades Public Information Officer, Pump Operator and supports his team in any way he can. He wants to be fully restored to serve his community.

Will you help Africa Fire Mission by supporting this project to help get Physical Therapy and a Prosthetic for Kennedy? We are raising $10,000 to help make Kennedy’s dreams for serving his community come true!

Read Kennedy’s story in his own words:

“I applied for a vacancy of fire when I saw that advert on daily nation newspaper on August 2018 being complete with my two legs. I applied because I had passion for helping the community by fighting fire. I was given an interview in November 2018. I attended the interview and in February 2019 I received an appointment letter to report as a firefighter on 15 April 2019.

My accident occurred between my the day of picking my appointment letter and that period of reporting to my working station.

The accident was a rare accident, I was on motorbike and it happened to get a mechanical issues and we had fell into a drainage furrow. I got a normal fracture of the bone of my right leg. I was rushed to the Isiolo Referral Hospital where things turned to be worse. The doctors in charge of orthopedic messed up with my leg and the blood stopped circulating in my right leg after they put on plaster which was too tight. This resulted in the nerves not to function.

I had hoped to be transferred to one hospital but due to lack of funds I was unable to go. Later on I was transferred to a mission hospital. Things turned to be worse and worse after everyday. So there wasn't any alternative since my leg started getting worse and got rotten. I was in bad condition almost died.

It reached a point where one of the doctors came and advised me, instead of you loosing your life whereas you can get amputated and life be as normal as possible. I accepted the amputation and that things would be as normal as before even if I would not be having one leg.

So that's how I accepted for the amputation and life continued and I reported to job even if I reported late than others due to the recovering period.

So I went to work. Chief Wako shifted me to the office as an IcT manager of the fire dept of Isiolo. Sometimes I also help with pump operations and I do it to my level best regardless of being an Amputee. In some instance the county government wanted to do away with me due of me loosing the leg stating I will not be able to work as fire fighter but God fought for me and I retained my vacancy and Chief Wako insisted a lot he needs me in the department due to PASSION I had towards my career.

When I officially reported to work, I felt demotivated. Seeing others who we had applied with them same job had two leg whereas me I don't have. I was feeling much depressed and stressed but Fire Chief Wako was always there for motivating me and giving encouragement alot big morale for the job.

I want to get a prosthetic leg which can improve my performance as a firefighter. I am from a humble background which can't raise all that money to get that prosthetic. I am the one who is taking care of my family with that small amount of salary I get and am the one who pays school fees for my little sister who is in high school.

Am much humbled and may Heavenly God will Bless you Abundantly. Thank you alot as you look forward to help me.”

Yours Kenneth Mugambi Orutwa Isiolo fire and Rescue Department ICT Manager.

There are 4 fire stations in Malawi!

by Nancy Moore

We’d last been to Malawi in 2017 when Co-Founders Dave and Nancy Moore went on a vision trip. During that trip they worked to better understand the needs of the fire service and their dreams of the future as a better fire service. Lodious - the Fire Chief in Zomba, Malawi has a vision for Malawi’s fire service and made sure to share it with us.

Malawi has four fire stations - you read that right - four. For perspective land mass wise, Malawi is about the geographic size of Pennsylvania and there are four fire stations and less than 100 firefighters in the country. Firefighters are misunderstood by their community and under equipped to serve the communities where they are located. Firefighters are often stoned and ridiculed by the communities they are trying to serve.

AFM began looking for the right partner that could help us reach out and train the firefighters and the community across Malawi. Our friends at Namikango Mission were part of that next step, and something was missing. During conversations with Parkview Global, Orland Park, IL and their initiative for Peace Plan Malawi it became clear that we’d be able to partner with Peace Plan Malawi and reach the fire service across Malawi.

Finally, in June 2021, we were ready to travel with a team from Parkview to serve in Malawi. God provided a way for us to go even when the borders were closed to foreigners due to contacts in Malawi’s National Government and Department of Health.

While we were in Malawi, we we able to provide firefighter personal protective equipment to the Zomba Fire Brigade.

We were able to train firefighters from 3 of the 4 fire departments in the country (Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Zomba)! It was difficult to see the lack of equipment, the lack of PPE and the broken equipment. At one fire station there appeared to be 4 fire trucks - as we asked questions we learned that only one was in working condition.

We were able to pray for the firefighters and share God’s love with them as we conducted training on hose operations, using ladders, and search and rescue operations.

In Lilongwe, we found out that there were new Jaws of Life (Vehicle Extrication tools) that had been sitting in storage for over a year because no one knew how to operate them - and we were asked if we could teach them - YES! In a few days time we trained on the new equipment and it was able to be put into operation at vehicle accident scenes to save lives!

We are looking forward to what our work will look like in Malawi in the future and are planning to take a team of firefighters to serve in Malawi in June 2022!! Learn more about our mission trips here >