Firefighters in and around Nairobi, Kenya, are often seen wearing gear marked with the name of the Chicago Fire Department. This is no coincidence, as a group of 14 U.S. firefighters, including retired and active members, recently returned from a two-week mission to Kenya. The trip was part of the Africa Fire Mission, a nonprofit organization that organizes annual training seminars for local firefighters.

The event attracted over 250 participants, and among the speakers was Hank Clemmensen, a well-known figure in the fire service community. He shared insights on leadership with about 25 fire chiefs from nearby regions, discussing topics such as working with local politicians and engaging with community stakeholders.

David Moore Jr., the founder and executive director of Africa Fire Mission, has been instrumental in building this initiative. A former firefighter from Ohio, he started the program after witnessing the challenging conditions during a trip with Mission of Hope International. Today, the organization has around 30 active volunteers, and its focus has shifted to training due to the high costs of shipping equipment across the ocean.

"Many donations to developing countries end up unused because there's no proper training or guidance on how to use them," Clemmensen explained. "Especially when the manuals are in a different language, it’s hard for people to make good use of the gear."

Moore credited both Clemmensen and Lt. Brooks Watson of the Chicago Fire Department for their recent donation of protective equipment. U.S. fire departments have strict procedures for donating gear, requiring detailed documentation to ensure the items are properly transferred and not used beyond their ten-year lifespan.

Historically, Nairobi had only one fire truck, stationed at the airport to reassure international travelers. Many embassies and large corporations maintained their own private firefighting units, leaving the general population, especially those in informal settlements, with limited emergency support.

Clemmensen highlighted that the most vulnerable groups are the one million residents living in five major slums, where homes are often constructed from scrap materials, making them highly susceptible to fires.

Some participants in Africa Fire Mission’s December training near Nairobi, Kenya, wore protective gear donated by the Chicago Fire Department. (Africa Fire Mission photo)

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