Metro Fire Chiefs Association Sign Memorandum of Understanding with AFM

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.

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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

Advancements in Mombasa's Fire Department

by Ibrahim Basafar

My name is Ibrahim Basafar, and I serve as the County Chief Fire Officer for the Mombasa County Government. I am also a PhD finalist in Law Enforcement and Legal Justice Systems at Mount Kenya University.

I recall joining the fire department from the Inspectorate department when His Excellency Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir was elected as the Governor of Mombasa County.

During a visit to the main fire station in October 2022, I was quite surprised by the conditions. There was no dedicated CFO office, recreation center, or classroom. The dormitories were in poor condition, infested with bed bugs, and lacked basic amenities like paint or fans.

The station was operating with only one functional fire engine with an unstable and leaking tank. Additionally, there were broken and leaking fire water hoses, no FFF foam, no allocated fuel, and a lack of essential protective gear such as fire tunics and breathing apparatus. There was also no established curriculum, control room, OB facility, or operational system in place. Sadly, the station had become known as a place to transfer officers with disciplinary issues from other departments.

Governor Nassir and I agreed that the fire department had been neglected and needed a complete transformation into a model department for other county and national entities to learn from. Our initial focus was on enhancing the capacity and discipline of our officers. Following this, we successfully increased the annual budget allocation for the fire department.

Today, we have 102 fire officers who have received comprehensive training in firefighting techniques, OSHA standards, first aid, and water rescue, along with internal supervisory training. Mombasa now has an Emergency Operation Center, overseen by a Fire Officer, which manages county-wide disaster and emergency responses. We have five operational fire engines and one rescue truck equipped with all necessary tools, including extraction equipment for road traffic accidents. All dormitories have been renovated, and the three main stations in Likoni, Changamwe, and Mvita have been refurbished to meet a standard fire department aesthetic.

Currently, we have 60 new, UK-standard fire tunic suits acquired by the county (not donated), 54 self-contained breathing apparatuses, UK-standard fire water hoses with branch nozzles, and a storage of 10,000 liters of AFFF foam. Continuous daily classes are conducted in all three stations using a standardized fire curriculum. Furthermore, a new fire station in Kiembeni is nearing completion at 85% and is expected to be fully operational by June 2025.

We have also extended our training to other counties and institutions, including 60 officers from Kiambu County Fire, 40 from Nairobi, 98 from Tana River (including Chief Wako), 300 individuals from various universities and colleges, and 220 ongoing trainees at the Mombasa Inspectorate school. In 2024, we conducted 52 school inspections and training sessions, as well as 50 community awareness programs.

Presently, 50% of our officers are fully equipped with standard fire tunic suits, boots, helmets, self-contained breathing apparatuses, and working uniforms.

With the continued support of His Excellency Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, we are optimistic about achieving 100% PPE for the remaining officers in the next financial year. We also aim to build an additional fire station in Nyali, initiate a kitchen welfare program for our firefighters, and implement promotions for the existing force.

It truly makes our day when our firefighters return home safely with a sense of accomplishment.

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Chief Fire Officer Ibrahim Basafar is Mombasa County Government’s Fire Chief. He is a PhD Finalist in Law Enforcement and Legal Justice Systems at Mount Kenya University. He is an experienced Fire Officer and safety expert.

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“It’s incredible to see the advocacy and advancement taking place in the fire service in Mombassa. Collaboration, relationships, advocacy, and tenacity have been required to improve Mombassa’s fire service. We hope that other fire services in Africa can learn from what Mombassa is doing!”

- 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!

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