Three distinguished former fire chiefs from Minnesota, USA, are set to arrive in Liberia on Friday to assist in the investigation of the devastating fire that engulfed the Capitol Building in Monrovia months ago. The delegation, comprising seasoned experts with over 90 years of combined experience, will collaborate with Liberian authorities to determine the cause of the fire and recommend measures to prevent future incidents.
The delegation includes:
- Former Chief Kenneth Prillaman (Brooklyn Park, MN, and Wichita Falls, TX Fire Departments)
- Former Chief Mark Lynde (Hanover and Osseo, MN Fire Departments)
- Former Chief and Emergency Manager Jerry Streich (Andover and Centennial, MN Fire Departments)
The team’s involvement comes at the formal request of the Liberian government, which seeks international expertise to bolster the investigation and strengthen fire safety protocols.
“We are honored to provide our expertise in support of the Liberian government,” said Fire Chief (Ret.) Kenneth Prillaman of the Fire Rescue Alliance. “We love the republic and are excited to be back on Liberian soil. Our goal is to conduct a thorough investigation, share best practices, and help strengthen fire safety protocols to protect critical infrastructure.”
Prillaman added, “We remain hopeful we can have a material impact and bring much-needed closure to this issue.”
During their visit, the fire chiefs will:
- Work closely with the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) and the Liberia National Police (LNP).
- Inspect the Capitol Building site and analyze physical evidence.
- Interview first responders and witnesses to gather critical insights.
International Partnership:
The Minnesota-based team’s involvement highlights the importance of global collaboration in addressing public safety challenges. The chiefs are no strangers to Liberia, having previously trained LNFS officers and visited the country multiple times. Their familiarity with the region and extensive experience will be invaluable in this investigation.
The final investigative report will be shared with the Liberian government to support prosecution efforts and inform future fire prevention initiatives, ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure and the public.
