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On 25 March, representatives from Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS), including the Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton, Director of Corporate Services Amber Forman and Dave Price, GAFSIP trustee, alongside representatives from Gambia Fire & Rescue service including their Chief, Assistant Chief, and Finance Director – had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of the Interior for The Gambia. This meeting reinforced the longstanding and invaluable partnership between Avon Fire & Rescue Service and The Gambia Fire & Rescue Service (GFRS), a collaboration that has been thriving since 1992.
During the discussions, the team expressed gratitude for the continued cooperation and reaffirmed AF&RS’s commitment to supporting GFRS for as long as possible. What began as a small initiative over 30 years ago has grown into a transformative partnership, enabling GFRS to expand from just over 80 firefighters and three stations to a service with 13 fire stations and over 1,400 employees today.
The partnership between Avon Fire & Rescue Service and GFRS was established through the Gambia and Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP), a charity dedicated to enhancing fire and rescue services in The Gambia. Over the years, AF&RS has provided vital training, equipment, and resources, helping to improve emergency response capabilities and making the Service a household name across the country.
“Despite the remarkable progress achieved, there remains a significant need for additional training and equipment. Through this visit, the AF&RS team witnessed first-hand the critical areas where further support is required to ensure GFRS can operate efficiently.”
“Maintaining this life-saving charity requires ongoing fundraising and donations. While GFRS has made tremendous strides since the beginning of the partnership, they still require essential equipment and resources to meet the demands of their growing service. None of this progress would have been possible without the generosity of those who have contributed to GAFSIP over the years.”
Chief Fire Officer, Simon Shilton.
The AF&RS team remains deeply committed to supporting GFRS and ensuring they have the tools and training necessary to protect communities in The Gambia. If you would like to get involved and donate what you can to GAFSIP, please visit the GAFSIP page on our website or contact us at [email protected].
Together, we can continue to make a difference and help GFRS build a safer future for The Gambia.
Representatives from Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of the Interior for The Gambia. This meeting reinforced the longstanding and invaluable partnership between Avon Fire & Rescue Service and The Gambia Fire & Rescue Service (GFRS), a collaboration that has been thriving since 1992.