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9 May 2025
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City of Cape Town Fire Service draws a crowd on International Firefighters’ Day
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City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, officiated at the opening of the International Firefighters’ Day commemorations, which started with a cavalcade of firefighting vehicles from Belhar Fire Station to Erica Park. Every year, International Firefighters' Day is observed on 4 May to honour firefighters for their dedication, commitment, perseverance and to remember those who lost their lives. Visitors were able to interact with firefighters, experience the various specialised fire vehicles and even had the opportunity to have a closer look at the aerial support craft.
One of the highlights at the event was a competition between fire officers’ vehicle extrication teams, replicating the challenges set at the International World Rescue Challenge. The City’s Fire and Rescue Service gets invited to the Challenge each year. During the World Rescue Challenge, participants have to race against time to safely extract and rescue a victim from a simulated vehicle accident scene.
In addition to the many activities, some adventurous visitors also participated in the fitness challenge tasks.
“The past week was an extremely busy and tiring time for our firefighters as they worked around the clock to contain the devastating fire in the Table Mountain National Park, along with hundreds of other fires and special service calls across the metropole. It makes the celebrations on International Firefighters’ Day all the more special, as we pause to honour their dedication and remember those who have sacrificed their lives to protect others. I am incredibly proud of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service and the incredible work that is done day after day, and I know that the throngs of people who turned out for the celebrations share that appreciation,” said Alderman Smith.
Photos: Volunteer Wildfire Services, photographer Charlene Vrey
Source: Media office, City of Cape Town
One of the highlights at the event was a competition between fire officers’ vehicle extrication teams, replicating the challenges set at the International World Rescue Challenge. The City’s Fire and Rescue Service gets invited to the Challenge each year. During the World Rescue Challenge, participants have to race against time to safely extract and rescue a victim from a simulated vehicle accident scene.
In addition to the many activities, some adventurous visitors also participated in the fitness challenge tasks.
“The past week was an extremely busy and tiring time for our firefighters as they worked around the clock to contain the devastating fire in the Table Mountain National Park, along with hundreds of other fires and special service calls across the metropole. It makes the celebrations on International Firefighters’ Day all the more special, as we pause to honour their dedication and remember those who have sacrificed their lives to protect others. I am incredibly proud of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service and the incredible work that is done day after day, and I know that the throngs of people who turned out for the celebrations share that appreciation,” said Alderman Smith.
Photos: Volunteer Wildfire Services, photographer Charlene Vrey
Source: Media office, City of Cape Town
