Mission

Metro Fire Chiefs Association Sign Memorandum of Understanding with AFM

MFCA President, Chief John Butler, and AFM Founder, Dave Moore

Metro Chief’s President, Chief John Butler, and AFM Founder, David A. Moore Jr.

On May 1st, 2025, leaders of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Africa Fire Mission! As part of this MoU, Africa Fire Mission strengthened its relationship with Fire Chiefs from Metro fire departments and will be able to help increase support for fire departments in Africa. Metro Chief’s members will collaborate with AFM through travel with our team for training and consultation and will help support improving equipment for fire services in Africa.

This MoU was signed and announced under the leadership of the President of the Metro Chiefs, Chief John Butler, and Africa Fire Mission Founder, Dave Moore.


The Metropolitan Fire Chief’s Association brings together fire chiefs from large metropolitan fire departments to share information and focus on major issues affecting policy changes in the U.S. and abroad. Its members are leaders of departments with a minimum staffing of 350 fully paid career firefighters.

Africa Fire Mission is committed to increasing the sustainable capacity of fire departments across Africa. We accomplish this through training, empowerment, support and encouragement:

•       Train – We partner with African 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 & 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 coordinated 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.

For more information about this partnership, contact Nancy Moore, Africa Fire Mission, Executive Director

AFM Launches Active Bleeding Control Program in Kenya

In March 2025, Africa Fire Mission (AFM) proudly launched our Active Bleeding Control Program in Kenya, a significant step toward enhancing emergency response capabilities in the region. This initiative addresses the critical need for immediate bleeding control, especially in areas where access to medical facilities may be delayed.

The program commenced with the training of 37 firefighters and EMS providers, equipping them with essential skills to manage life-threatening bleeding situations effectively. These trained professionals are now prepared to serve as instructors, further disseminating this vital knowledge within their communities.

AFM's approach emphasizes the importance of empowering local responders. By providing comprehensive training on the five critical steps to stop bleeding and the proper use of direct pressure, wound packing and tourniquets, the program aims to significantly reduce preventable deaths caused by severe bleeding. This training is particularly crucial in regions with high incidences of road traffic accidents, where immediate intervention can be life saving.

The development and implementation of the Active Bleeding Control Program have been made possible through collaborative efforts with esteemed partners, including pediatric ICU doctors from the U.S.A., and ICU and emergency doctors from Kenyatta National Hospital and the University of Nairobi. This collective expertise ensures the delivery of high-quality training tailored to the specific needs of African communities. Funding has been provided by the Laerdal Foundation.

To support the program's expansion and effectiveness, AFM is conducting a needs assessment to gather insights on incidents related to life-threatening bleeding. Community members are encouraged to participate in this assessment, contributing to the program's ongoing success and relevance.

The launch of the Active Bleeding Control Program marks a pivotal moment in AFM's mission to build and increase the sustainable capacity of emergency services in developing communities. Through education, empowerment, and collaboration, AFM continues to make strides in enhancing emergency response and saving lives across Africa.

For more information and to get involved, please visit our Active Bleeding Control program page >

To gain further insight into the program's impact and hear from those involved, watch our program launch video:

Donating Fire Equipment, Medical Equipment & Training Supplies at FDIC 2025

FDIC International, one of the world's largest fire conferences, takes place this April. This year, AFM is partnering with FAME to collect PPE for firefighters in Africa. In partnership with FAME we will also be able to accept medical equipment.

When: April 7-11, 2025 from 10AM - 4PM.

Where: FAME - 4545 Southeastern Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46203

What will we accept?

Africa Fire Mission accepts personal protective equipment in clean and serviceable condition. We seek to serve our fellow firefighters with this equipment. Please consider the firefighters you will be impacting when making your donation - We ask that personal protective equipment be cleaned prior to donation. We request that boots and gloves be cleaned and matched prior to donation. Please see our specifications below regarding accepted equipment.

For a list of medical equipment that will be accepted - please see FAME’s medical equipment needs list >
If you plan to donation equipment at FDIC, please complete the form below so that we know to expect your equipment!

See you at FDIC!

LION Grant Impacts AFM’s Growth - Meet Errol!

LION Grant Impacts AFM’s Growth - Meet Errol!

Because of LION’s renewed and ongoing commitment to our programs, AFM is pleased to announce that we now have a second team member to work full-time in Africa! Errol Sianga is our newest team member. Based in Kenya, Errol has worked in communities and made a difference over the years as a Fire Safety Advocate Volunteer. He is well equipped to provide hands-on instruction and assist AFM with training, empowering, supporting, and encouraging communities across Africa.

Leadership Training in Kenya

Leadership Training in Kenya

The 2024 All Kenya EMS and Fire Symposium held at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya integrated several fields of training. Fire Prevention, Health and Wellness, Firefighting Tactics, Emergency Medicine, and Leadership were all incorporated topics. AFM team member Tim Baker writes about his experience as a leadership instructor!

Recognizing the 2024 Kenya Fire and EMS Symposium Award Winners

Recognizing the 2024 Kenya Fire and EMS Symposium Award Winners

In November, Africa Fire Mission worked with partners and collaborators around the world to hold the 2024 Kenya EMS and Fire Symposium and Competition. This Symposium featured firefighter and EMS trainings, leadership development, mental health awareness, community fire prevention trainings, and the signature EMS and Fire Competition. All of the classes were desinged to have immediate application for firefighters and EMS personel. AFM was espeically focused on leadership development in emergency services and the mental, physical, and spiritual wellness of first responders. AFM would like to recognize members of the fire service who are making a difference across Africa, as well as the award winners of the Fire and EMS Competition!

2024 Chama Award Recipients: Mission Partner

2024 Chama Award Recipients: Mission Partner

Our partners are key to providing gear, volunteers, and logistical support to those we serve. We are so grateful for all the support we receive and would like to recognize a partner organization through our inaugural Mission Partner Award! This award recognizes a partner organization that makes significant contributions to AFM and, in turn, makes a substantial impact on the people that AFM serves.

2024 Chama Award Recipients: Volunteer and Instructor of the Year

2024 Chama Award Recipients: Volunteer and Instructor of the Year

Our volunteers and instructors assist with our programs, help unload and pack gear, and provide valuable training to firefighters in Africa. We are so grateful for all the support we receive and would like to recognize two of our supporters through our annual Volunteer and Instructor of the Year Awards! These awards were made to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to AFM and, in turn, make a substantial impact on the people that AFM serves.

AFM Receives Grant from the LION Foundation

AFM Receives Grant from the LION Foundation

Having a full-time employee in Africa has allowed AFM to connect with communities and pursue our mission in an exciting new way. Now, we are delighted to announce that LION has renewed its commitment to fire services in Africa and community fire prevention through a grant that will provide initial funding for us to employ an additional full-time Fire Safety Advocate in Africa!

Press Release: AFM Receives Grant Award from the Laerdal Foundation for Stop the Bleed® Training Program

Press Release: AFM Receives Grant Award from the Laerdal Foundation for Stop the Bleed® Training Program

Africa Fire Mission (AFM) announces a grant award of $44,000 from the Laerdal Foundation for research to begin a Stop the Bleed® training program in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project will be led by Nancy Moore, MSW, LISW-S, Kirstin Henley, MD (Baylor College of Medicine), and Africa Fire Mission volunteers beginning November 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Africa Fire Mission at the Inaugural World Fire Congress

Africa Fire Mission at the Inaugural World Fire Congress

From May 7-8, 2024, delegates from over fifty countries gathered in Washington, DC, USA for the inaugural World Fire Congress. This historic event was established by the US Fire Administration with many other partners to connect the fire service around the world and offer an opportunity to strengthen and empower firefighters and their communities. Members of the Africa Fire Mission team were present during the congress and helped to ensure that representatives from Africa were invited as delegates.

Africa Fire Mission at FDIC International 2024

Africa Fire Mission at FDIC International 2024

Africa Fire Mission attended FDIC International this year! The Fire Department Instructors Conference is one of the largest firefighting conferences in the world and it gave our team members a great opportunity to network with members of the fire service community. Our team had a busy week connecting with organizations and collecting gear donations. We’re grateful for all the wonderful people we were able to connect with!

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.