Africa Fire Mission Seeks Volunteers to Train Firefighters in Africa

Imagine arriving at your next emergency call with little to no equipment and less than basic training. Could you arrive with no PPE and fight the fire anyway?

Though it’s unimaginable in most communities across the United States, this is a daily reality for first responders in Sub-Saharan Africa. Though these firefighters and EMTs have a passion for their work and their communities, it can be difficult to foster sustainable growth against challenging odds.

In 2024, Firehouse reported on Africa Fire Mission (AFM), a U.S.-based non-profit that’s working to change what is available for those firefighters and their communities. Since then, there’s been even more growth that signals great development in the fire departments across Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia. And, with your help, AFM can expand that development even further!

Creating change

AFM was founded in 2012, after Fire Chief Dave Moore travelled to the Mathare Valley slum community in Kenya. There, he was met with an intense reality. Firefighters were scoffed at or attacked by community members. First responders had little to no equipment, even when confronting large-scale emergencies. And across the city of Nairobi, Fire Chief Brian Kisali was tasked with protecting five million people with just two functioning fire apparatus.

Determined to change this, Dave and his wife, current AFM Executive Director Nancy Moore, founded AFM. From there, the AFM team has grown to include firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, social workers, and fire prevention officers. Nearly 50 firefighters and fire safety advocates travel from the U.S., Canada, Europe and South America each year to train firefighters and communities in Africa. 

The difference is already clear and continues to grow stronger each year. "Since 2012, Africa Fire Mission has worked to strengthen the skills, confidence, and leadership of firefighters across Africa, creating an ongoing ripple effect that impacts countless communities and fire departments. What started as a small effort has grown into a movement of firefighters helping firefighters save lives," Dave Moore said.

These successes grow every year because of the work of the AFM team and the volunteers that travel with us.

Advancements and successes

Through the leadership and instruction of AFM’s firefighter team members, the fire services in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia have taken huge strides!

Fires have hit cities in Kenya, but thanks to training focused on tactics and smart water usage, local firefighters respond efficiently saving both lives and property. Limitations in equipment, like hose or ladders, can make tactical response difficult, but through creative solutions and training from AFM’s team, firefighters in Zambia have increased their confidence and situational skills to combat fires with the equipment they have. And, despite no emergency operation center and no national emergency number, Malawi firefighters are starting to get emergency calls sooner, receive support from community members, and arrive before it’s too late.

Development takes time and AFM’s team, collaborating with African firefighters and fire service leaders, are committed to getting departments the training they need, policies that matter, gear that protects, and community support that lasts.

You can join the mission

In 2026, AFM has multiple opportunities for you to train in Africa and leave a lasting legacy in the fire service! This year, teams will travel to Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia to lead firefighter training and fire prevention outreach initiatives.

If you are interested in making a difference in Africa, you can learn more and apply today.

“Every firefighter deserves the training, tools, and knowledge to save lives and be safe while doing it, no matter where they serve," Nancy said. "Through Africa Fire Mission, people can be part of equipping and encouraging firefighters across Africa so that communities are safer and responders return home to their families.” 

You can join the team this year and leave a legacy that will last a lifetime.