Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The National Fire Force (NFF) has announced the development of a new Fire Safety Bill aimed at modernizing fire prevention systems and improving Sierra Leone’s emergency response capabilities.
Speaking at the weekly government press briefing held at the Miatta Conference Hall, the Legal Officer of the NFF, Bintu Fatmata Kamara Esq., said the proposed legislation is designed to significantly reduce fire incidents through stronger enforcement, accountability, and public awareness.
“If we really want to cut down on the rate of fires, we need stronger laws to ensure prevention and compliance,” Kamara emphasized. “We studied best practices across the sub-region and worked with key partners to draft this comprehensive Fire Safety Bill.”
The draft bill contains 58 sections, each addressing key aspects of prevention, enforcement, and emergency response.
Among the major highlights are:
Section 8 – Strategic Fire Hydrants:
Empowers the Chief Fire Officer to identify and recommend strategic locations for hydrants nationwide. Kamara noted that Freetown currently has only three functional hydrants located at Femi Turner Drive, Syke Street, and Eastern Police.
“Imagine responding to a fire in Calaba Town and having to drive back to Eastern Police to refill water,” she said. “This law will make firefighting faster and more efficient.”
Section 9 – False Alarms:
Introduces penalties for individuals who deliberately make false emergency calls. Offenders could face a fine of Le 2,000- or three-months imprisonment, or both.
“Prank calls waste valuable time and resources,” Kamara noted. “While we are chasing false alarms, someone else might be facing a real emergency.”
Section 10 – Abatement of Fire Hazards:
Gives the Chief Fire Officer authority to inspect buildings and demand correction of fire hazards within a specified timeframe, with penalties for non-compliance.
Section 16 – Fire Safety Certification:
Requires all public buildings accommodating 100 or more people to obtain an annual Fire Safety Certificate from the Fire Force. Certification confirms that a building meets essential safety standards such as clear exits, functional extinguishers, and unobstructed escape routes.
Between January and October 2025, the Fire Force responded to 436 fire incidents nationwide, a figure Madam Kamara described as “alarming and unsustainable.”
“We cannot continue to operate reactively,” she warned. “This law gives us the tools to act proactively and prevent disasters before they happen.”
To ensure public participation, the Fire Force is collaborating with the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Finance to secure funding for a nationwide popularization campaign. This campaign will educate citizens about the bill’s contents and gather feedback before its presentation to Parliament.
“Even though we are experts, we value public input,” Kamara said. “Once enacted, the Fire Safety Law will transform fire management and make Sierra Leone safer.”
She added that neighboring countries like Liberia already have stronger fire safety laws that enable them to adopt preventive measures. With the proposed Fire Safety Bill, Sierra Leone aims to meet and even exceed regional standards protecting lives, property, and national infrastructure.
“We are determined to make this law a reality,” Kamara concluded.
With national support, the Fire Force believes the new legislation will help Sierra Leone transition from a reactive to a preventive fire safety culture.
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