SEATTLE—Targhee Fire Services, LLC, has been awarded the primary sub-contract for training and leadership development in a major project to supply American-made fire apparatus and emergency equipment to the State of Lagos in Nigeria.
The US$15.7-million first phase of the multi-year Lagos Fire Safety Initiative (LFSI), a public/private partnership between Lagos State and Wisconsin-based fire apparatus manufacturer W.S. Darley received loan approval January 11, 2013 by the United States Export-Import Bank.
Poulsbo, Washington-based Targhee Fire Services was contracted this week to provide emergency services and maintenance training and leadership development for the project.
Targhee is no stranger to Africa. Senior President Edward Wright traveled to Africa as a member of the African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest’s (ACCPNW) 2008 trade mission sponsored by the State of Washington. ACCPNW facilitated meetings with the president of Zambia and top government ministers. In 2009 the Chamber introduced the company’s management to government officials from Uganda and the African Union.
With Chamber assistance, Mr. Wright partnered with the Mayor of the City of Mubende, Uganda and a Tumwater, Washington-based non-profit to train emergency personnel.
The Mubende project came to the attention of Wisconsin-based fire apparatus manufacturer W.S. Darley, who was impressed with Mr. Wright’s ability to complete the project despite numerous challenges including an ambush by armed rebels.
In April 2012, Mr. Wright was invited by Darley to undertake a feasibility study for LFSI in Lagos.
The Lagos Fire Safety Initiative will ultimately expand to include the state’s 57 administrative districts. Training will be conducted to international fire service training and equipment standards and adapted to the unique emergency response needs of Lagos.
The Initiative’s costs are underwritten by the Export- Import Bank of the United States as part of its “Doing Business with Africa Campaign.”