New informal houses totalling 12 000 are built annually in Namibia, due to an inability to qualify for conventional home loans and as a result household fires become a common feature in our communities. The effective response in guarding lives whilst serving our people, requires that emergency management teams are equipped with adequate personal protective equipment. The town of Lüderitz in Germany’s Fire Department has donated a signed helmet and outfit to Lüderitz, Namibia; the First Servant, His Worship, the Mayor Hon. Cllr. Phillippus A. Balhao handed over the items to the Chief Fire Officer Mr. Oliver Morgan of the Voluntary Fire Department in Lüderitz.