Firefighting and emergency response have been a dangerous business for the fire brigade in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Lacking adequate protective gear, firefighters risked injury each time a fire occurred. That explains why Dire Dawa police commissioner Getachew Asrise, who also oversees fire services, spoke of a “miracle” when he learned about a shipment of protective equipment facilitated by ICMA. 

The donation came from the city of Oldsmar, Florida. Spearheaded by Fire Chief Scott W. McGuff, it represents a tangible benefit resulting from a partnership that began with an ICMA CityLinks program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and evolved into an ongoing relationship between the two cities.  

At a handover ceremony January 26, Jason D. Fraser, Deputy Mission Director, USAID/Ethiopia, officially presented the gear to Police Commissioner Getachew Asrise, supervisor of the Dire Dawa Fire Brigade. The equipment, valued at about $39,000, consists of 20 firefighter helmets with protective visors; 40 sets of protective gloves, 26 sets of heavy-duty jackets bearing the initials “DDFB,” and 26 pairs of pants with suspenders. 

The equipment was provided through USAID’s Regional/Municipal Services Strengthening project. Because of Ethiopian Government restrictions, ICMA is participating in the project through a “transitional partnership” with Mercy Corps, a locally placed nongovernmental organization. 

The relationship between Oldsmar, Florida, and Dire Dawa began in 2008 with an ICMA CityLinks partnership designed to develop the Ethiopian city’s ability to plan for and respond to natural disasters, particularly flash flooding. Through the program, the city developed an emergency operations plan and took other steps to improve its emergency management capabilities.

Fire Chief McGuff was the key technical advisor who forged that partnership. On a later visit to the country he met with the city’s fire brigade, and a USAID representative asked if he might be able to locate some protective equipment for them. 

Returning home, Chief McGuff collected the donated equipment, which was then packed in nine cartons ready for shipment. Because of various complications, however, it could not be transported into the country for more than a year. Thanks to assistance from USAID, the Ethiopian Embassy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Revenue and Customs Authority, approvals were finalized in late 2010 to ship the equipment duty-free. 

At the ceremony, Mr. Fraser noted, “These items will protect the city’s firefighters from injury—or worse—when they are extinguishing fires . . . the equipment will also enable the firefighters to . . . move closer to the flames—thereby doing a better job of protecting lives and property.” He added, “I want to recognize and thank Chief Scott McGuff and the Oldsmar Fire Rescue Department for their professionalism, persistence, and generosity.” 

Commenting on the city-to-city connection, Oldsmar City Manager Bruce T. Haddock noted: "The City of Oldsmar's mission, to protect the community and enhance the quality of living, extends beyond our jurisdiction when we are able to have a positive effect on the quality of living for others. We praise Oldsmar Fire Chief McGuff for understanding and responding to needs beyond our borders, deepening understanding between cultures in an increasingly interconnected world."

Of his experience, Chief McGuff commented: “This effort is very important to me as I formed a lasting bond with those firefighters in Dire Dawa.” Future plans for the city include the construction of warning towers equipped with sirens to alert residents of rising flood waters and development of a radio network to improve communications among first responders to fires and floods.