|
|
|
|
|
10 July 2026
|
City of Tshwane Emergency Services invests in specialised rescue capability through in-house USAR training
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department (ESD) has reached a significant milestone with the official opening of its Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Training Programme at the Erasmuskloof Fire Station Training Academy. The programme marks a major investment in strengthening the City's specialised emergency response capability by developing highly skilled Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Technicians who are equipped to respond to complex rescue incidents. For the first time, the Emergency Services Department has commenced training its own members in this dynamic programme, which is internationally recognised as a specialised emergency response discipline.
Twenty-five firefighters have been selected to form part of the City's USAR team and will undergo training to qualify as USAR Technicians. The programme is presented in partnership with the City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Services Department, demonstrating the value of inter-municipal partnerships in developing specialised rescue capabilities. To qualify as a USAR Technician, members are required to successfully complete five of the nine accredited rescue modules.
The current programme includes:
• Rope Rescue
• Confined Space Rescue
• Trench Rescue
• Structural Collapse Rescue
• Swift Water Rescue
These specialised skills will significantly enhance the City's capacity to respond to disasters and technically challenging rescue incidents, ensuring faster, safer and more effective emergency responses for the residents of Tshwane.
Chief of Emergency Services, Moshema Mosia, highlighted the importance of investing in the City's own training capability. "Emergency Services has now started training its own members in this specialised and dynamic programme. This demonstrates the City’s capabilities and capacity we have built at the Training Academy to offer specialised courses and successfully implement a programme of this magnitude. Chief Mosia further encouraged the trainees to embrace every learning opportunity. "Knowledge is power. A good firefighter is always willing to learn, but a bad firefighter knows it all."
Hosting the programme at the Erasmuskloof Fire Station Training Academy will also result in substantial cost savings for the City. By delivering the training in-house, the City of Tshwane will save more than R250 000 while simultaneously building sustainable internal capacity to deliver specialised rescue training in the future.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Safety, Alderman Hannes Coetzee, expressed his support for the initiative, saying he has witnessed the exceptional work performed by USAR Technicians at Hennops River and Wonderboom flooding incidents and fully supports the City's decision to provide the training in-house.
Chairperson of the Section 79 Oversight Committee for Community Safety, Cllr Neo Mocumi-Letlhaku, commended the Emergency Services Department for its innovation and visionary leadership. "This programme demonstrates the City's commitment to innovation and reflects strong leadership with a clear mandate to capacitate employees, strengthen service delivery and build a resilient Emergency Services Department."
The City of Tshwane remains committed to investing in its people, strengthening operational readiness and ensuring that its Emergency Services Department continues to deliver world-class emergency response services to all communities.
Source: Nana Radebe-Kgiba, deputy chief, Public Information and Liaison Services, City of Tshwane Emergency Services
Twenty-five firefighters have been selected to form part of the City's USAR team and will undergo training to qualify as USAR Technicians. The programme is presented in partnership with the City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Services Department, demonstrating the value of inter-municipal partnerships in developing specialised rescue capabilities. To qualify as a USAR Technician, members are required to successfully complete five of the nine accredited rescue modules.
The current programme includes:
• Rope Rescue
• Confined Space Rescue
• Trench Rescue
• Structural Collapse Rescue
• Swift Water Rescue
These specialised skills will significantly enhance the City's capacity to respond to disasters and technically challenging rescue incidents, ensuring faster, safer and more effective emergency responses for the residents of Tshwane.
Chief of Emergency Services, Moshema Mosia, highlighted the importance of investing in the City's own training capability. "Emergency Services has now started training its own members in this specialised and dynamic programme. This demonstrates the City’s capabilities and capacity we have built at the Training Academy to offer specialised courses and successfully implement a programme of this magnitude. Chief Mosia further encouraged the trainees to embrace every learning opportunity. "Knowledge is power. A good firefighter is always willing to learn, but a bad firefighter knows it all."
Hosting the programme at the Erasmuskloof Fire Station Training Academy will also result in substantial cost savings for the City. By delivering the training in-house, the City of Tshwane will save more than R250 000 while simultaneously building sustainable internal capacity to deliver specialised rescue training in the future.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Safety, Alderman Hannes Coetzee, expressed his support for the initiative, saying he has witnessed the exceptional work performed by USAR Technicians at Hennops River and Wonderboom flooding incidents and fully supports the City's decision to provide the training in-house.
Chairperson of the Section 79 Oversight Committee for Community Safety, Cllr Neo Mocumi-Letlhaku, commended the Emergency Services Department for its innovation and visionary leadership. "This programme demonstrates the City's commitment to innovation and reflects strong leadership with a clear mandate to capacitate employees, strengthen service delivery and build a resilient Emergency Services Department."
The City of Tshwane remains committed to investing in its people, strengthening operational readiness and ensuring that its Emergency Services Department continues to deliver world-class emergency response services to all communities.
Source: Nana Radebe-Kgiba, deputy chief, Public Information and Liaison Services, City of Tshwane Emergency Services