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7 June 2024
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Learner firefighters earn their crests and axes, Cape Town
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It’s been exactly a year since the group of 26 first stepped into the Fire and Rescue Service Training Academy. The class of 2024 was celebrated at a graduation ceremony at the Alphen Hall in Constantia on Wednesday, 5 June 2024. The Learner Firefighters started at the Fire and Rescue Service Training Academy in Epping on 5 June 2023, following a rigorous selection process that generated nearly 7 500 applications. Among the prescribed courses that they had to complete, were:
• Wildland Firefighting NFPA 1051
• Advanced First Responder
• Respiratory Course
• Hazmat Awareness NFPA 1072
• Firefighter One NFPA 1001
• Hazmat Operations NFPA 1072
“The group also had exposure to real-time incidents, under the guidance of senior staff, during the inclement weather experienced at the tail-end of the previous winter, as well as the very hot and incident-prone summer that followed. They were deployed to fight the devastating fires in the Overstrand area where they were on the fire line for six days. The fact that the learners all finished what they started is testament to their dedication to their chosen field, but also the quality of training on offer at our Academy”, said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
“Our new learner firefighters ought to be incredibly proud of their achievements, especially considering the initial number of applications. We are constantly reminded of just how critical a well-functioning Fire & Rescue Service is for public safety. I want to remind the new arrivals that they are about to take on a massive responsibility, and that Cape Town is counting on them”, said Alderman Smith.
The group will be deployed at various fire stations around the metropole from 10 June 2024.
“This graduation ceremony comes just a week after Council approved the latest budget, which includes a sizeable allocation for ongoing investment in our Fire and Rescue Service. So not only are we driving increased resourcing and facilities, like the planned new fire station in Langa, but there are also ongoing investments in our human resources, for the benefit of our residents,” said Chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.
Photo1: Group photo
Photo2: Group photo
Photo3: Linda Makholwa Awarded the Most Improved Student Award
Photo4: Marceau Daubolin awared the Best Overall Student Award
Source: Media Office, City of Cape Town
• Wildland Firefighting NFPA 1051
• Advanced First Responder
• Respiratory Course
• Hazmat Awareness NFPA 1072
• Firefighter One NFPA 1001
• Hazmat Operations NFPA 1072
“The group also had exposure to real-time incidents, under the guidance of senior staff, during the inclement weather experienced at the tail-end of the previous winter, as well as the very hot and incident-prone summer that followed. They were deployed to fight the devastating fires in the Overstrand area where they were on the fire line for six days. The fact that the learners all finished what they started is testament to their dedication to their chosen field, but also the quality of training on offer at our Academy”, said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
“Our new learner firefighters ought to be incredibly proud of their achievements, especially considering the initial number of applications. We are constantly reminded of just how critical a well-functioning Fire & Rescue Service is for public safety. I want to remind the new arrivals that they are about to take on a massive responsibility, and that Cape Town is counting on them”, said Alderman Smith.
The group will be deployed at various fire stations around the metropole from 10 June 2024.
“This graduation ceremony comes just a week after Council approved the latest budget, which includes a sizeable allocation for ongoing investment in our Fire and Rescue Service. So not only are we driving increased resourcing and facilities, like the planned new fire station in Langa, but there are also ongoing investments in our human resources, for the benefit of our residents,” said Chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.
Photo1: Group photo
Photo2: Group photo
Photo3: Linda Makholwa Awarded the Most Improved Student Award
Photo4: Marceau Daubolin awared the Best Overall Student Award
Source: Media Office, City of Cape Town