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30 June 2023
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Working on Fire Mzanzi Hotshots 2 head to Canada to beef up fire fighting efforts
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The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment's Working on Fire Programme’s second contingent of fire fighters and managers, the Mzanzi 2 Hotshots, left for Canada on Wednesday, 15 June 2023. The 200 fire fighters and 13 managers left for Edmonton, Canada, on a chartered flight from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) at 19h00 (South Africa time).
Canada is currently facing one of its most disastrous fire seasons, with wildfires raging across eight provinces and the Northwest Territories. The devastating fires can be attributed to the hot and dry weather conditions and the province of Alberta has been the hardest-hit province with active fires still burning. Alberta has experienced evacuations that have affected over 30 000 people and the extent of the damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure has been extensive. To combat these fires, the Canadian military and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre have mobilised additional resources.
The Mzanzi 2 Hotshots team heading to Canada will join the Mzanzi 1 Hotshots team, which was deployed on 3 June 2023. They are all working alongside Canadian fire fighting agencies and local crews in fire suppression operations to help combat wildfires and protect affected areas.
The two Mzanzi Hotshots teams received specialised training at the Kishugu Training Academy before departure. They are well-equipped with practical and theoretical knowledge of the use of water pumps and pump lines. The fire fighters meet the Canadian fitness standards, possess valid South African Yellow cards, and each fire fighter has three or more years of fire fighting experience.
The international community has also rallied to support Canada in its battle against the wildfires. Already present in the country are firefighters from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, France, Chile, Portugal and France. The ongoing hot and dry weather conditions have contributed to the rapid spread of these fires, and federal fire officials warn that the situation is far from under control.
This South African WoF deployment marks the fifth time that South Africa has sent fire fighting personnel to Canada, with previous deployments occurring in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and now in 2023. The collaboration between South Africa and Canada is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allows for the exchange of wildfire fire fighting resources and firefighters.
Amy Galigan, Councillor: Political and Economic Affairs: Canadian High Commission of Canada in South Africa came to visit the Mzanzi 2 Hotshots when they departed for the KMIA from the Kishugu Training Academy. In her keynote address, Galigan wished the team all the best on their journey and mission.
“It is my honour to share with you the thanks on behalf of the Canadian Prime Minister, but more importantly, the thanks of the Canadian people. We are also grateful for the partnership with Working on Fire and the Government of South Africa, which allows you to come to Canada and make a difference for us. I want to pay tribute to you as individuals. You are leaving your homes and your families and traveling the world to a country that is a world away from here. I pay tribute to you for being willing to make that sacrifice to go help Canadians. I wish you safe travels, a safe mission, and a safe return home. Nihambe kahle,” said Councillor Calligan.
The South African teams are expected to be deployed in the province of Alberta for a period of 35 days.
The Working on Fire Programme, implemented by the WoF-Kishugu Joint Venture, is playing a crucial role in supporting fire fighting efforts in Canada. As the most successful Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) of the South African government, WoF has trained unemployed youth to become fire fighters, providing them with valuable skills and employment opportunities. The journey management system implemented by WoF allows fire fighters to grow and develop within the programme. Many former fire fighters now hold management positions within Working on Fire and 51 percent of the Programme's management staff are women.
Source: Working on Fire
Canada is currently facing one of its most disastrous fire seasons, with wildfires raging across eight provinces and the Northwest Territories. The devastating fires can be attributed to the hot and dry weather conditions and the province of Alberta has been the hardest-hit province with active fires still burning. Alberta has experienced evacuations that have affected over 30 000 people and the extent of the damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure has been extensive. To combat these fires, the Canadian military and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre have mobilised additional resources.
The Mzanzi 2 Hotshots team heading to Canada will join the Mzanzi 1 Hotshots team, which was deployed on 3 June 2023. They are all working alongside Canadian fire fighting agencies and local crews in fire suppression operations to help combat wildfires and protect affected areas.
The two Mzanzi Hotshots teams received specialised training at the Kishugu Training Academy before departure. They are well-equipped with practical and theoretical knowledge of the use of water pumps and pump lines. The fire fighters meet the Canadian fitness standards, possess valid South African Yellow cards, and each fire fighter has three or more years of fire fighting experience.
The international community has also rallied to support Canada in its battle against the wildfires. Already present in the country are firefighters from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, France, Chile, Portugal and France. The ongoing hot and dry weather conditions have contributed to the rapid spread of these fires, and federal fire officials warn that the situation is far from under control.
This South African WoF deployment marks the fifth time that South Africa has sent fire fighting personnel to Canada, with previous deployments occurring in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and now in 2023. The collaboration between South Africa and Canada is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allows for the exchange of wildfire fire fighting resources and firefighters.
Amy Galigan, Councillor: Political and Economic Affairs: Canadian High Commission of Canada in South Africa came to visit the Mzanzi 2 Hotshots when they departed for the KMIA from the Kishugu Training Academy. In her keynote address, Galigan wished the team all the best on their journey and mission.
“It is my honour to share with you the thanks on behalf of the Canadian Prime Minister, but more importantly, the thanks of the Canadian people. We are also grateful for the partnership with Working on Fire and the Government of South Africa, which allows you to come to Canada and make a difference for us. I want to pay tribute to you as individuals. You are leaving your homes and your families and traveling the world to a country that is a world away from here. I pay tribute to you for being willing to make that sacrifice to go help Canadians. I wish you safe travels, a safe mission, and a safe return home. Nihambe kahle,” said Councillor Calligan.
The South African teams are expected to be deployed in the province of Alberta for a period of 35 days.
The Working on Fire Programme, implemented by the WoF-Kishugu Joint Venture, is playing a crucial role in supporting fire fighting efforts in Canada. As the most successful Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) of the South African government, WoF has trained unemployed youth to become fire fighters, providing them with valuable skills and employment opportunities. The journey management system implemented by WoF allows fire fighters to grow and develop within the programme. Many former fire fighters now hold management positions within Working on Fire and 51 percent of the Programme's management staff are women.
Source: Working on Fire
