By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter D.S.
The National Fire Force (NFF) is ramping up public education initiatives to prevent fires in Sierra Leone, focusing on the importance of proper electrical practices. Bintu Fatmata Kamara, the NFF Public Relations Officer, stated in a recent interview that most fire incidents are preventable and often stem from human error or negligence.
“Most of the fire incidents that we hear of are not mysterious. As experts, we know that whenever fires occur, it’s either someone did something or failed to do something that led to the outbreak,” Kamara explained.
Kamara highlighted that poor electrical connections and the overloading of electrical extensions are significant contributors to domestic fires. She advised against the misuse of electrical extensions, warning, “If you continue to overload your extension every day, you will cause it to accumulate more heat. Over time, the insulators can degrade, exposing naked wires, which may eventually spark and lead to a fire.”
The NFF’s concerns align with data from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), which reported that 94% of the 71 disasters registered in the first quarter of 2025 were fire-related. The NDMA attributed many of these incidents to electrical problems, unsafe cooking techniques, and improper agricultural fires.
In response to the rising number of fire incidents, the NFF has been actively reaching out through public awareness campaigns. These initiatives educate residents on fire prevention measures, including the safe handling of electrical devices and the importance of hiring qualified electricians for installations and repairs.
Kamara emphasized the necessity of taking preventive precautions, such as installing smoke detectors and ensuring that fire extinguishers are readily available in homes and businesses. “Having an extinguisher and a smoke alarm installed at home can reduce the risk of fire by 70 to 80%,” she stated.
The NFF is urging the public to exercise caution and to report fire occurrences promptly. The fire department’s toll-free lines are as follows: 302 for Aberdeen, 309 for Rokel’s Far East, 301 for the area east of Freetown, 300 for headquarters, and 311 for national emergencies.
The NFF reiterated that everyone has a shared responsibility to adopt and follow fire safety procedures to protect lives and property as Sierra Leone continues to face the challenges posed by fire disasters.
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