
October 22, 2026
Setting Our Hearts
Doug Redford

Africa Fire Mission equips firefighters and communities across Africa through training, fire-prevention education, leadership development, equipment support, and locally focused capacity-building partnerships.
Africa Fire Mission (AFM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on increasing the sustainable capacity of fire departments in developing communities. Founded after firefighter Dave Moore encountered the challenges facing fire brigades in Kenya, AFM brings together fire-service professionals, volunteers, local leaders, governments, nonprofits, schools, and other partners to strengthen emergency response and fire prevention. The organization is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, while its primary ministry and development work is carried out with fire services and communities across Africa.
AFM describes its work through four priorities: train, empower, support, and encourage. Training includes firefighting, emergency medical services, leadership, incident command, fire investigation, vehicle extrication, community fire prevention, first aid, and other subjects identified with local partners. The organization also uses Community Health Education principles to help firefighters and community members develop practical fire-safety knowledge. AFM’s development model emphasizes community ownership, local leadership, multiplication of skills, partnerships, and long-term sustainability rather than dependence on outside teams.
Africa Fire Mission currently identifies work in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone. Its approach seeks relationships with fire-service organizations, community organizations, and government leaders within the places it serves. In addition to professional training, AFM develops fire-safety curriculum and assessment resources and provides usable personal protective equipment, communication tools, and other firefighting equipment. Its Fire Safety! with Tochi and Josรฉ resources provide contextualized fire-prevention education for African audiences, while other initiatives address first aid and Active Bleeding Control.
Christian faith is also present within AFM’s work. Its organizational model describes human dignity in terms of people being made in the image of God, and mission-trip training information notes that Bible studies and devotions are offered to firefighters who are interested in participating. AFM combines this faith-informed perspective with professional fire-service training and locally led capacity development. The organization works with both career and volunteer firefighters and emphasizes building the ability of local departments and communities to continue training, prevention, and emergency-response efforts themselves.
People can engage with AFM through several avenues. Firefighters, EMTs, leadership trainers, and other qualified volunteers can apply for mission trips that provide hands-on training alongside African first responders. Supporters may also volunteer with organizational projects, provide financial gifts, sponsor aspects of the work, or donate clean and serviceable firefighting equipment that meets AFM’s requirements. Recurring and one-time donations help fund its programs, and AFM also accepts certain non-cash gifts. Those interested in serving can review current mission opportunities and application requirements through the organization’s website.
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