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10 May 2024
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City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department commemorates International Firefighters’ Day, Pretoria
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On Saturday, 4 May 2024, the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department joined the global fire services fraternity to commemorate and celebrate International Firefighters’ Day. The event was held at the Kolonnade Retail Park Mall in Montana North of Pretoria with the aim of creating public awareness of the Fire Services and its mandate and to afford firefighters the opportunity to interact with the community in non-emergency situations. The main purpose of the event, however, was to honour firefighters who died in the line of duty, those who have retired and those that continue to selflessly service their communities.
All Emergency Services Department personnel gathered at Wonderboom Fire Station and ensured that all resources for the parade march were in a state of readiness. A team responsible for setting up at Kolonnade Retail Park Mall yet already started with the setting up of the podium, the red carpet, sitting place for firefighters and guests, and branding of the events site.
The Emergency Services Department personnel drove in a convoy escorted by the Tshwane Metro Police Department to corner of Dr van der Merwe Drive and Zambezi Drive. The convoy included two rescue pumpers, two ladder trucks, two rapid intervention rescue units, one armoured fire truck, two district commander response vehicles, one water master, one industrial pumper, one water tanker and a variety of support vehicles.
All Emergency Services Department personnel marched to Kolonnade Retail Park in a formation that included the drill squad, firefighters in firefighting gear and rescue technicians in rescue and diving gear. The parade attracted a lot of attention from members of the public who cheered and hooted from their vehicles in appreciation.
Commemoration service
The event started with the observing and singing of the National Anthem.
Chief of Emergency Services, Mr Moshema Mosia, welcomed everyone and outlined that the Emergency Services Department joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Firefighters’ Day in honour of all in the firefighting fraternity, when in service, retired or passed on in the line of duty. He further outlined how the day came to be observed internationally.
This was followed by Leading Firefighter Nomsa Maroos, who led with the Firefighter’s Prayer.
Chaplaincy
Leading Firefighter Nomsa Munyai, encouraged everyone from the scripture, citing how Nehemia was tasked to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and encouraged everyone to fulfil their calling in the fire services fraternity by continuing to build strong fire services.
City Manager, Mr Johann Mettler, in his opening remarks said, “I am proud to call all firefighters present here and those who manning the stations for continued operations my colleagues”. He acknowledged the challenges faced by all because of prevailing financial constraints but thanked everyone for their committed service. He further elaborated that the City would continue to strive to capacitate the Emergency Services Department with the necessary tools of trade.
MMC for Community Safety and Emergency Services, Alderman Grandi Theunissen, was not available to join the event as he was on sick leave. He was, however, represented by the MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Councillor Kingsley Wakelin. MMC Wakelin, in his address, spoke extensively about the sacrifices firefighters throughout world make daily to safe and protect the lives and properties of citizens. He acknowledged the services of female fighters in the male dominated profession. He also shared his experiences as a former firefighter and emergency care professional, where he acknowledged having been trained by Chief Mosia in the discipline of Wilderness Search and Rescue. He further elaborated that, “we understand this is a scaled down event but we will going forward ensure that this event is given the attention and the scale it deserves”.
Marketing and exhibitions manager, Kolonnade Retail Park, Simphiwe Zulu thanked the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department for choosing to come and share the observing IFFD with them. He said that they feel proud to be chosen as the host and that they are willing to collaborate further in such events where the community is also educated on fire and life safety.
Recognition of retired employees
Chief of Emergency Services Mr Moshema Mosia acknowledged two employees who went on retirement after serving the City of Tshwane for more than three decades. He handed over shields to them. The retired employees are Fire Safety Officer Willem Prinsloo and Senior Support Officer Andrew van Heerden.
Candle commemoration, reading of fallen firefighter’s names and ringing of a brass bell
Deputy Chief Refiloe Phantshang led the candlelight, reading of the names of firefighters who passed on duty and Brass Bell ceremony.
The podium group, consisting of the Chief of Emergency Services, Mr Mosia; MMC Wakelin, Chairperson Section 79 Committee, Community Safety and Emergency Services, Cllr Sebotsane; Brigadier Shaun Bollaise who represented the Chief of Metro Police; the Head of Centre, Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre Mr Tshepo Mothlale and Director Rolland Hendricks who represented the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre acknowledged the parade pass-by salute by the drill squad.
Vote of thanks
Chairperson Section 79 Committee, Community Safety and Emergency Services, Cllr Sebotsane, thanked everyone for their presence and ensuring that the event became a success.
Interactions with members of the community and live demonstrations followed. Live demonstrations included vehicle extrication, tyre flipping and public awareness by the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department mascots, the Rhino and Giraffe, as well as photo sessions with the members of the public.
Source: Deputy chief Charles Mabaso, public information and liaison officer for the City of Tshwane Emergency Services
All Emergency Services Department personnel gathered at Wonderboom Fire Station and ensured that all resources for the parade march were in a state of readiness. A team responsible for setting up at Kolonnade Retail Park Mall yet already started with the setting up of the podium, the red carpet, sitting place for firefighters and guests, and branding of the events site.
The Emergency Services Department personnel drove in a convoy escorted by the Tshwane Metro Police Department to corner of Dr van der Merwe Drive and Zambezi Drive. The convoy included two rescue pumpers, two ladder trucks, two rapid intervention rescue units, one armoured fire truck, two district commander response vehicles, one water master, one industrial pumper, one water tanker and a variety of support vehicles.
All Emergency Services Department personnel marched to Kolonnade Retail Park in a formation that included the drill squad, firefighters in firefighting gear and rescue technicians in rescue and diving gear. The parade attracted a lot of attention from members of the public who cheered and hooted from their vehicles in appreciation.
Commemoration service
The event started with the observing and singing of the National Anthem.
Chief of Emergency Services, Mr Moshema Mosia, welcomed everyone and outlined that the Emergency Services Department joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Firefighters’ Day in honour of all in the firefighting fraternity, when in service, retired or passed on in the line of duty. He further outlined how the day came to be observed internationally.
This was followed by Leading Firefighter Nomsa Maroos, who led with the Firefighter’s Prayer.
Chaplaincy
Leading Firefighter Nomsa Munyai, encouraged everyone from the scripture, citing how Nehemia was tasked to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and encouraged everyone to fulfil their calling in the fire services fraternity by continuing to build strong fire services.
City Manager, Mr Johann Mettler, in his opening remarks said, “I am proud to call all firefighters present here and those who manning the stations for continued operations my colleagues”. He acknowledged the challenges faced by all because of prevailing financial constraints but thanked everyone for their committed service. He further elaborated that the City would continue to strive to capacitate the Emergency Services Department with the necessary tools of trade.
MMC for Community Safety and Emergency Services, Alderman Grandi Theunissen, was not available to join the event as he was on sick leave. He was, however, represented by the MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Councillor Kingsley Wakelin. MMC Wakelin, in his address, spoke extensively about the sacrifices firefighters throughout world make daily to safe and protect the lives and properties of citizens. He acknowledged the services of female fighters in the male dominated profession. He also shared his experiences as a former firefighter and emergency care professional, where he acknowledged having been trained by Chief Mosia in the discipline of Wilderness Search and Rescue. He further elaborated that, “we understand this is a scaled down event but we will going forward ensure that this event is given the attention and the scale it deserves”.
Marketing and exhibitions manager, Kolonnade Retail Park, Simphiwe Zulu thanked the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department for choosing to come and share the observing IFFD with them. He said that they feel proud to be chosen as the host and that they are willing to collaborate further in such events where the community is also educated on fire and life safety.
Recognition of retired employees
Chief of Emergency Services Mr Moshema Mosia acknowledged two employees who went on retirement after serving the City of Tshwane for more than three decades. He handed over shields to them. The retired employees are Fire Safety Officer Willem Prinsloo and Senior Support Officer Andrew van Heerden.
Candle commemoration, reading of fallen firefighter’s names and ringing of a brass bell
Deputy Chief Refiloe Phantshang led the candlelight, reading of the names of firefighters who passed on duty and Brass Bell ceremony.
The podium group, consisting of the Chief of Emergency Services, Mr Mosia; MMC Wakelin, Chairperson Section 79 Committee, Community Safety and Emergency Services, Cllr Sebotsane; Brigadier Shaun Bollaise who represented the Chief of Metro Police; the Head of Centre, Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre Mr Tshepo Mothlale and Director Rolland Hendricks who represented the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre acknowledged the parade pass-by salute by the drill squad.
Vote of thanks
Chairperson Section 79 Committee, Community Safety and Emergency Services, Cllr Sebotsane, thanked everyone for their presence and ensuring that the event became a success.
Interactions with members of the community and live demonstrations followed. Live demonstrations included vehicle extrication, tyre flipping and public awareness by the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department mascots, the Rhino and Giraffe, as well as photo sessions with the members of the public.
Source: Deputy chief Charles Mabaso, public information and liaison officer for the City of Tshwane Emergency Services
