Few years back, coming home on holidays he visited the National Fire Service and to his dismay he discovered that conditions of service including lack of fire fighting engines and equipment were in an appalling situation, but it did not stop there. Alhaji Saccoh on his return to the States went on a mass campaign to solicit support to assist his land of birth.
On his return last Christmas, firemen at the national fire service had smiles on their faces as a result of fire fighting clothing and equipment brought in by Mr Saccoh as his small Christmas gesture to help cushion their plight.
Handing over the clothing and equipment to Government, fireman Saccoh explained that it took him and other well-meaning Sierra Leoneans months to procure and package the items for shipment to the country.
He noted that the plight of firemen and the service needed urgent attention in the country in order to save more lives and property during fire incident.
Fireman Saccoh informed Minister Joseph Dauda about plans to further seek more assistance for the service which, according to him, is important and this is just the beginning of many more support.
He also briefed the minister that very soon Africa Fire mission will provide Sierra Leone up to a million dollars’ worth of fire fighting engines and equipment, which will go a long way in fire fighting.
Receiving the items, Minister of Internal Affairs, Joseph Dauda buttressed the statement by the young patriot that there is a need to improve and expand fire services all around the country.
He said the gesture demonstrated by fireman Saccoh should be the attitude of many Sierra Leoneans both within and out of the country, saying that government has a lot to contend with and cannot address all issues at the same time.
Mr Dauda disclosed that plans are underway to convey a consultative meeting this year with donors and other partners, and that the national fire service will be top on the agenda.
He said indeed there is a need not to only improve on conditions of the fire service, but also other state institutions under the ministry’s supervision.
The Chief Fire Officer and his men were very delighted and humbled to receive a gesture from a brother who came and saw and has delivered.
However, the firemen who risk their lives in the event of disasters appealed to the Internal Affairs ministry to provide them with living quarters, especially for those on night duty, that have no alternative but to make use of the bare floor while waiting for distress calls.