On 4 May, we celebrate International Firefighters’ Day and we’re throwing open the doors to some of our fire stations, giving residents an opportunity to learn more about the service and what they do.
On this day, it’s once again my honour to commend our seasonal firefighters, as well as our permanent staff, within the Fire & Rescue Service.
The 40 seasonal firefighters, recruited for the summer season to assist with combatting wildfires, augmented the service the past six months. They enabled the Service to respond to 8 202 vegetation fires between November 2021 and April 2022.
This is in addition to the thousands of emergency calls to which the Fire & Rescue Service responds throughout the year – 22 632 to be exact, between 1 May 2021 and 28 April 2022.
While the bulk of these calls are fire-related, 3 709 were motor vehicle accidents, 569 incidents of assault and many medical emergencies.
Our firefighters not only endure long hours in unbearable heat, but they provide an indispensable service crucial to the safety and security of all our residents.
Seasonal firefighters are a valuable resource and work alongside our permanent staff, who are also commended for their leadership and continued dedication.
The City’s Fire & Rescue Service boasts 64 fire engines, 29 water tankers, 26 skid units, 17 rescue and 13 aerial vehicles.
Our firefighters risk their lives to save others and we ensure equipment will not only assist in the performance of their duties, but also their protection.
I want to remind residents that these men and women put their lives on the line selflessly and they are there to save the very lives of people who attack them and their equipment.
It is unacceptable that during the course of their duties their hoses are sabotaged, vehicles are damaged and they are robbed of City and personal possessions.
Despite these challenges, they continue to report for duty and on Wednesday, 4 May 2022, you will meet the firefighters who serve our communities with courage.
The fire stations which will be open to the public on Wednesday from 11:00 to 18:00 are Atlantis, Belhar, Bellville, Epping, Goodwood, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Kommetjie Road, Kuils River, Lakeside, Milnerton, Mitchells Plain, Ottery, Roeland Street, Salt River, Sir Lowry’s, Strand and Wynberg.