The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS) has engaged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu, in a strategic meeting aimed at strengthening early response and support to victims of road traffic accidents across the country.
The engagement, held on Tuesday, forms part of efforts to enhance coordination between the SLRCS and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) in delivering timely emergency services along major highways.
Speaking during the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of SLRCS, Mr. Kpawuru E.T. Sandy, commended IGP Sellu for his leadership in maintaining peace and security in Sierra Leone. He emphasized the Society’s mandate as an auxiliary to government, established by an Act of Parliament in 1962, and its continued role in supporting national emergency and disaster response initiatives.
Mr. Sandy disclosed that the SLRCS has developed a new strategy to improve response to road traffic crashes, noting that the organization currently has a fleet of ambulances and mobile clinics ready for deployment.
“Our plan is to ensure that wherever a road traffic crash occurs, a Red Cross team should be on the scene within 30 to 45 minutes to provide immediate support to victims,” he stated.
He further explained that the Society has already engaged key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and deemed it necessary to bring the police on board to ensure effective implementation of the initiative.
As part of the plan, ambulances will be stationed at strategic locations such as Masiaka, Mile 91, and Bo to enable rapid response to emergencies along busy transport corridors. He added that SLRCS volunteers will be mobilized to provide first aid and other lifesaving interventions.
Mr. Sandy also highlighted the need to revitalize joint training programs between the SLRCS and the police to enhance capacity in emergency response, particularly in supporting vulnerable groups.
He concluded by noting that, in accordance with the SLRCS constitution, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio serves as the Chief Patron of the Society.
He therefore appealed to IGP Sellu to accept the role of a patron member, in support of the President’s development agenda.
In his response, IGP Sellu welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and commendable. He reaffirmed the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to partnership and collaboration in enhancing public safety.
The IGP noted that the police currently operate limited emergency response coverage, with only one ambulance at the Mile 38 checkpoint serving the Masiaka Freetown highway, and stressed the importance of expanding such services.
He further called on the SLRCS to incorporate road crash response training into ongoing police recruit training at the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy in Samu, Kambia District, to ensure that graduating officers are well equipped to handle emergencies.
The engagement marks a significant step towards improving coordinated emergency response systems and reducing fatalities from road traffic accidents in Sierra Leone.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 15th April 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
