“Living in Sierra Leone there are no stories of successful mitigation or rescues from fire-related incidents. Victims often say things like: “I lost everything and am homeless, my child died because the fire consumed the entire house and there was nothing fire force could do, or I helplessly watched as my house burned down because the fire force unable to assist.” As someone who lost two family members to a house fire in 1996, I really want to see fire casualties reduce in my country. Presently the fire force lacks the professional skills that will save lives and protect property, they are understaffed / under equipped, and unable to build trust with the citizens of Sierra Leone.” – Eastina Taylor
After a chance meeting between Eastina Taylor and Jason Moore, the Fire Chief for the City of Bloomington located in Indiana; the two developed a plan to help the Freetown Fire Force. Step one will have American Firefighting Professionals travel to Sierra Leone to evaluate their needs, provide firefighting training, and more importantly engage with the locals to develop fire prevention education programs. While they have successfully applied for and received a $5,000 grant, there is a shortfall in the funds required to fully realize this project.
The trip is currently planned for January 31, 2019 in order to avoid political / religious events, minimize the exposure to insects that carry communicable diseases, and will reduce the risk of inclement weather (raining season) that starts in March or April. While the timeline is short, the mission is critical.
By donating to this cause, you would be helping us save the lives of people who do not enjoy the same benefits that we see in the US.
We plan to:
Evaluate the local fire forces’ and City’s situation to include but not limited to: available resources, fire service educational deficiencies, infrastructure capabilities, regulatory options, civilian fire and life safety educational opportunities, and data collection / analysis capabilities.
Provide fire related education on strategies and tactics to their fire force, train fire force personnel on fire prevention methodologies, and determine best practices to help mitigate the emergencies resulting in the highest loss of life.
Establish multiple types of long distance communication platforms to leverage internet based technology to allow audio / visual meetings that can be used to provide additional training to the fire force after the American fire professional return to the U.S.
Create data collection and analysis gateways (routed through Indiana University) that use established metrics to determine overall program effectiveness and determine future project opportunities.
As professional Firefighters, we are natural problem solvers especially when it means saving lives. Knowing that we are only a short ways away from being able to make a real change in the world makes us more driven to overcome this obstacle. One way or another, we know that we have the skills and experience to help those in need and would love your support!
After a chance meeting between Eastina Taylor and Jason Moore, the Fire Chief for the City of Bloomington located in Indiana; the two developed a plan to help the Freetown Fire Force. Step one will have American Firefighting Professionals travel to Sierra Leone to evaluate their needs, provide firefighting training, and more importantly engage with the locals to develop fire prevention education programs. While they have successfully applied for and received a $5,000 grant, there is a shortfall in the funds required to fully realize this project.
The trip is currently planned for January 31, 2019 in order to avoid political / religious events, minimize the exposure to insects that carry communicable diseases, and will reduce the risk of inclement weather (raining season) that starts in March or April. While the timeline is short, the mission is critical.
By donating to this cause, you would be helping us save the lives of people who do not enjoy the same benefits that we see in the US.
We plan to:
Evaluate the local fire forces’ and City’s situation to include but not limited to: available resources, fire service educational deficiencies, infrastructure capabilities, regulatory options, civilian fire and life safety educational opportunities, and data collection / analysis capabilities.
Provide fire related education on strategies and tactics to their fire force, train fire force personnel on fire prevention methodologies, and determine best practices to help mitigate the emergencies resulting in the highest loss of life.
Establish multiple types of long distance communication platforms to leverage internet based technology to allow audio / visual meetings that can be used to provide additional training to the fire force after the American fire professional return to the U.S.
Create data collection and analysis gateways (routed through Indiana University) that use established metrics to determine overall program effectiveness and determine future project opportunities.
As professional Firefighters, we are natural problem solvers especially when it means saving lives. Knowing that we are only a short ways away from being able to make a real change in the world makes us more driven to overcome this obstacle. One way or another, we know that we have the skills and experience to help those in need and would love your support!