The Milwaukee (IL) Fire Department (MFD) donated a 1992, Ford Darley Fire Engine to Morogoro, Tanzania, in an acceptance ceremony that took place at the Fire and Police Academy. The fire engine, which was in service with the MFD until last year, will be the second fire apparatus in the Morogoro Fire Department’s fleet, and was accepted by Tanzanian Ambassador to the U.S., Ombeni Sefue. In August 2007, Morogoro became a sister city to Milwaukee, a relationship that was initially built through an organization called the Hope in Tanzania Foundation. Since then Mayor Tom Barrett, 2nd District Alderman Joe Davis, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Marketing, Tanzanian Embassy, Audifax Choma, has helped foster the Milwaukee and Morogoro sister city relationship. During the sister city ceremony in 2007, Fire Chief Douglas Holton made a goodwill gesture to donate a fire engine to Morogoro, which has a population of 300,000 people, and averages 50 fire fatalities per year. Dan Meehan, a local businessman who is the founder of the Meehan Foundation, will cover the cost for the fire engine to be shipped from the Port of New York to Tanzania.
“The donation of a fire engine sends a strong message that Milwaukee is committed to strengthening our sister city relationship with Morogoro,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “Two years ago government officials from Tanzania told us they were in dire need of a fire engine, and I am happy that we were able to fulfill that need today.”
MFD Fire Chief Holton added, “Donating a fire engine to the Morogoro Fire Department was a no-brainer once I was apprised of the number of people they serve with only one fire engine now, and the number of people who tragically fall victim to fires each year in this region.”
Since June 25, two firefighters from the Morogoro Fire Department have been training with the MFD on how to use and maintain the fire engine that will shortly arrive in their hometown. The two firefighters are undergoing intensive training in pump and hose operations, apparatus maintenance procedures, and driving techniques. The Morogoro firefighters will travel back home June 30. During their stay, they lived among Milwaukee firefighters and had the opportunity to go on fire runs with them.
“This is just the beginning to the city of Milwaukee becoming a leader in building international relationships,” said 2nd District Alderman Joe Davis. “I am very excited and grateful that the Milwaukee Fire Department has helped lead the effort on this initiative.”
