Newly graduated firefighters to deploy across city

Twenty-six trainee firefighters celebrated their graduation from the City’s Fire Rescue Service Training Academy in Constantia on Thursday last week.

The graduation followed a selection process that generated nearly 7 500 applications.

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 fires in the Overstrand area where they were on the fire line for six days. 

“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 and 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 mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith.

The group will be deployed to various fire stations around the metropole.

“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 the chairperson of the safety and security portfolio committee, councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.