Fire Gear Donation from Prince George’s County Aims to Protect Liberian Firefighters
A recent donation from the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department is helping provide much-needed safety gear to firefighters in Liberia.
While firefighters in the D.C. area are equipped with advanced, National Fire Protection Association-compliant gear, many fire crews around the world aren’t as fortunate. Now, a shipment of surplus protective equipment from Prince George’s County will offer Liberian firefighters improved protection and greater confidence when responding to emergencies.
Laid out at a Capitol Heights fire station were 40 full sets of firefighter gear — including boots, helmets, and pants — soon to be sent to Liberia after being cleaned.
“This gear keeps our firefighters safe and gives them the courage to enter dangerous environments to save lives,” said Fire Chief Tiffany Green. “Without it, you simply can’t do the job.”
The initiative stemmed from a conversation between County Council member Wala Blegay — whose father is Liberian — and Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Koung during his recent visit to the region. The donation was quickly approved by Acting County Executive Tara Jackson and Chief Green.
“We weren’t using the gear, and sending it to a place in need is incredibly meaningful,” said Blegay. “It’s really opened our eyes.”
The D.C. region is home to one of the largest Liberian communities in the U.S., and local leaders say the support is vital. Sebastian Teclar, a prominent figure in the Liberian-American community, noted that many firefighters in Liberia operate with minimal protection — often wearing sneakers or simple jackets instead of proper fire gear.
“They don’t have the equipment they need,” he said. “Even when they do, it’s not enough. It’s a safety concern.”
Deputy Chief of Mission at the Liberian Embassy, Isaac Chenoweth Yeah, echoed the sentiment. “What’s available is what they wear, but more protective equipment is urgently needed to save lives and keep our firefighters safe.”
The embassy plans to honor Chief Green in a special ceremony next month in appreciation of the donation.
“It’s heartbreaking to know firefighters are still working without basic protective gear,” Green added. “We’re proud to help however we can to keep them safe.”
