|
|
|
|
|
1 December 2023
|
TFA 2023 team leaders shared their experience and views
|
|
We asked the TFA 2023 team leaders to share their experience, thoughts and the impact the Toughest Firefighter Alive 2023 has had on their teams.
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service
Rudi van der Bergh of City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service and Firefighters for Excellence, said, “You get to see how your colleagues respond when close to breaking point and also experience their joy when pushing through and finishing the circuit. Nothing brings teams together more than the team relay, which is highly recommended and competitive but slightly EASIER. When finishing strong, it usually creates a buzz around your name and the impact on your career could prove to be exponential. The experience and the venue as usual was top drawer, maybe not a bad idea to bring your family along to the next event!
Drakenstein Fire and Rescue Service
Jaco Stander of Drakenstein Fire and Rescue Service, shared, “I am very proud to say that this TFA was one for the books. The comradery and team spirit was electrifying. It is great to see that the amount of teams and participants increased to the 240 firefighters we had. This makes this a very special event and as such made the experience so much sweeter.”
Stander added, “As to the amount of preparation from each and every participant, I can only speak for myself and my team but we experienced a surge of fitness and operational endurance due to the training we put in to get ready for the TFA challenge. I can also note that the general consensus from the fire fighters is positive and I hope to include a bigger training group for next year's event. The TFA challenge also forced us to rethink our fitness training programme and at the moment we are in the process of creating a fitness programme that incorporates the local fitness centres to assist with the improvements to the fitness of all fire fighters whilst also focusing on elevating the 2024 team’s fitness and endurance.”
“TFA is a great motivator and I applaud all the hard work and planning that went into the event. Thank you team!”
Midvaal Fire and Rescue Service
Tertius Engelbrecht of Midvaal Fire and Rescue Service, said, “We enjoyed it. I think it was a great success and I really like it to see that so many Departments from all over South Africa can work and participate in a three day event in the rain like they did and all looked like professionals. It was great to see that fitness is still looked after. The Midvaal Team also worked together and also formed a well-trained team that will also support and help each other when ever needed.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Southend Fire Station, Port Elizabeth
“The Toughest fire fighter competition is a very intense and mind driven event that push an individual to reach their potential on fitness level as well as mind set. I have competed for two years and every time it was different yet the experience. Again, it was so overwhelming to see other participants pushing their very best to achieve the end goal that we all have and that is to complete all obstacles. Well done to everyone and looking forward to the next event!” shared Roland Jerling of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Southend Fire Station in Port Elizabeth.
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (CDSIA)
Gerard Kirwan Lundall of Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (CDSIA), said, “Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport had never entered any firefighting events prior to 2022 as a team. We built on our first TFA event in 2022 and motivated our management team to send us to compete at TFA 2023. The positive effects TFA has had on our fire station has been tremendous; not only has it led to an overall increase in fitness levels at our fire station but it has also increased our camaraderie/team spirit across all four of our shifts. TFA 2023 was very rewarding for our small team of only six participants. We managed to send our first female firefighter to compete, we sent one of our oldest fire fighters to compete, we managed to walk away with a third place age category win and two of our members placed in the top 10 overall! CDSIA ARFF department hope to inspire and motivate many more aviation firefighters to compete at TFA 2024!
JB Marks Municipality (Potchefstroom)
Adelino Paulino of JB Marks Municipality (Potchefstroom), said, “JB Marks had a good experience in the competition. In these two years that we had being involved in the competition, it taught us and gave us more experience in the work place and the competition, In North West Province, JB Marks gave more encouragement to Matlosana for them to be able to register for the competition. We had one new member who joined us and saw what we do at the competition. We are so happy and proud to be part of TFA. It really put our municipality on the map. The JB Marks team can't wait for the next competition and the team will be having new members again”
He added, “TFA is the red carpet of the firefighters in South Africa and it motivates firefighters to be fit and healthy. It gives firefighters good reference when they participate. For the fire fighters who have not yet been part of TFA, I encourage them to register and participate because the moment they do it, will encourage them to love their work. Thank you TFA and Mossel Bay for hosting the competition. We are proud of the organisation; from the management to the hose draggers!”
Gauteng Emergency Medical Services Team
Malome Ngwato of Gauteng Emergency Medical Services Team said that the Gauteng EMS really enjoyed every single moment of the competition. “It has really boosted my team's morale positively and they cannot stop talking about how interesting, tough and intense the competition was. They realised that we need to triple our performance on the next competition. It was my team’s first experience on TFA competition and fortunately, we were guided throughout our preparation by the legendary Manie Gouws.”
Ngwato added, “I personally was also very impressed with how every single athlete had prepared for the competition. It wasn't an easy competition for my team because they are paramedics and most of them had never worked as firefighters before. However, we take fitness and endurance as a priority as our job too requires mental and physical strength to be able to execute our duties and rescue is also part of our integral service. We've also encouraged the Western Cape Emergency Medical and Rescue Services to participate in the next competition and have fun. All of the competitors’ performances were very exciting and we got a lot of inspiration from them to help us improve our next performance. “
“We had an unforgettable time in Mossel Bay; I loved the experience and am particularly grateful to the host. We were honoured to be one of the participants and appreciated every moment. The whole experience was priceless. Thank you, everyone! #Once a firefighter, always a firefighter!”
Volunteer Wildfire Services
Nathan Heyns of Volunteer Wildfire Services shared their experience. “The Volunteer Wildfire Services had 17 volunteers participating in TFA 2023. Each one brought so much value to the team. Our training started in April where our volunteers worked extremely hard to strengthen their minds and bodies for the competition. The determination presented by each participant was truly motivating and inspiring to witness. The team spirit was kept at a high by encouraging and supporting each other along the way. Although it rained non-stop during the competition, our volunteers never lost their focus and drive, it motivated them even more to succeed and made everyone at VWS proud. We are all ecstatic to see what our members can accomplish next year at TFA 2024!”
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service
Rudi van der Bergh of City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service and Firefighters for Excellence, said, “You get to see how your colleagues respond when close to breaking point and also experience their joy when pushing through and finishing the circuit. Nothing brings teams together more than the team relay, which is highly recommended and competitive but slightly EASIER. When finishing strong, it usually creates a buzz around your name and the impact on your career could prove to be exponential. The experience and the venue as usual was top drawer, maybe not a bad idea to bring your family along to the next event!
Drakenstein Fire and Rescue Service
Jaco Stander of Drakenstein Fire and Rescue Service, shared, “I am very proud to say that this TFA was one for the books. The comradery and team spirit was electrifying. It is great to see that the amount of teams and participants increased to the 240 firefighters we had. This makes this a very special event and as such made the experience so much sweeter.”
Stander added, “As to the amount of preparation from each and every participant, I can only speak for myself and my team but we experienced a surge of fitness and operational endurance due to the training we put in to get ready for the TFA challenge. I can also note that the general consensus from the fire fighters is positive and I hope to include a bigger training group for next year's event. The TFA challenge also forced us to rethink our fitness training programme and at the moment we are in the process of creating a fitness programme that incorporates the local fitness centres to assist with the improvements to the fitness of all fire fighters whilst also focusing on elevating the 2024 team’s fitness and endurance.”
“TFA is a great motivator and I applaud all the hard work and planning that went into the event. Thank you team!”
Midvaal Fire and Rescue Service
Tertius Engelbrecht of Midvaal Fire and Rescue Service, said, “We enjoyed it. I think it was a great success and I really like it to see that so many Departments from all over South Africa can work and participate in a three day event in the rain like they did and all looked like professionals. It was great to see that fitness is still looked after. The Midvaal Team also worked together and also formed a well-trained team that will also support and help each other when ever needed.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Southend Fire Station, Port Elizabeth
“The Toughest fire fighter competition is a very intense and mind driven event that push an individual to reach their potential on fitness level as well as mind set. I have competed for two years and every time it was different yet the experience. Again, it was so overwhelming to see other participants pushing their very best to achieve the end goal that we all have and that is to complete all obstacles. Well done to everyone and looking forward to the next event!” shared Roland Jerling of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Southend Fire Station in Port Elizabeth.
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (CDSIA)
Gerard Kirwan Lundall of Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (CDSIA), said, “Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport had never entered any firefighting events prior to 2022 as a team. We built on our first TFA event in 2022 and motivated our management team to send us to compete at TFA 2023. The positive effects TFA has had on our fire station has been tremendous; not only has it led to an overall increase in fitness levels at our fire station but it has also increased our camaraderie/team spirit across all four of our shifts. TFA 2023 was very rewarding for our small team of only six participants. We managed to send our first female firefighter to compete, we sent one of our oldest fire fighters to compete, we managed to walk away with a third place age category win and two of our members placed in the top 10 overall! CDSIA ARFF department hope to inspire and motivate many more aviation firefighters to compete at TFA 2024!
JB Marks Municipality (Potchefstroom)
Adelino Paulino of JB Marks Municipality (Potchefstroom), said, “JB Marks had a good experience in the competition. In these two years that we had being involved in the competition, it taught us and gave us more experience in the work place and the competition, In North West Province, JB Marks gave more encouragement to Matlosana for them to be able to register for the competition. We had one new member who joined us and saw what we do at the competition. We are so happy and proud to be part of TFA. It really put our municipality on the map. The JB Marks team can't wait for the next competition and the team will be having new members again”
He added, “TFA is the red carpet of the firefighters in South Africa and it motivates firefighters to be fit and healthy. It gives firefighters good reference when they participate. For the fire fighters who have not yet been part of TFA, I encourage them to register and participate because the moment they do it, will encourage them to love their work. Thank you TFA and Mossel Bay for hosting the competition. We are proud of the organisation; from the management to the hose draggers!”
Gauteng Emergency Medical Services Team
Malome Ngwato of Gauteng Emergency Medical Services Team said that the Gauteng EMS really enjoyed every single moment of the competition. “It has really boosted my team's morale positively and they cannot stop talking about how interesting, tough and intense the competition was. They realised that we need to triple our performance on the next competition. It was my team’s first experience on TFA competition and fortunately, we were guided throughout our preparation by the legendary Manie Gouws.”
Ngwato added, “I personally was also very impressed with how every single athlete had prepared for the competition. It wasn't an easy competition for my team because they are paramedics and most of them had never worked as firefighters before. However, we take fitness and endurance as a priority as our job too requires mental and physical strength to be able to execute our duties and rescue is also part of our integral service. We've also encouraged the Western Cape Emergency Medical and Rescue Services to participate in the next competition and have fun. All of the competitors’ performances were very exciting and we got a lot of inspiration from them to help us improve our next performance. “
“We had an unforgettable time in Mossel Bay; I loved the experience and am particularly grateful to the host. We were honoured to be one of the participants and appreciated every moment. The whole experience was priceless. Thank you, everyone! #Once a firefighter, always a firefighter!”
Volunteer Wildfire Services
Nathan Heyns of Volunteer Wildfire Services shared their experience. “The Volunteer Wildfire Services had 17 volunteers participating in TFA 2023. Each one brought so much value to the team. Our training started in April where our volunteers worked extremely hard to strengthen their minds and bodies for the competition. The determination presented by each participant was truly motivating and inspiring to witness. The team spirit was kept at a high by encouraging and supporting each other along the way. Although it rained non-stop during the competition, our volunteers never lost their focus and drive, it motivated them even more to succeed and made everyone at VWS proud. We are all ecstatic to see what our members can accomplish next year at TFA 2024!”