The City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service is actively seeking firefighters to fill 120 seasonal positions. The annual recruitment programme aims to strengthen the City’s defences against vegetation fires between November 2022 and April 2023.
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Alderman JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security says ” seasonal firefighters not only increase and strengthen our firefighting capabilities but also provide skills and opportunity to those who are successful.”
Seasonal firefighters work alongside permanent staff and were introduced as an EPWP programme in early 2009 to fund the appointment of an initial 40 seasonal firefighters.
The program has grown since then to 120 seasonals to increase resources and minimise the risk to lives and property, particularly where vegetation and mountain fires threaten the urban edge.
Between November 2021 and April 2022, The Fire & Rescue Service responded to 8202 vegetation fires. It is therefore pretty evident that seasonal recruits are critical to firefighters’ efforts to protect lives and property during this busy period.
How to apply:
The closing date for applications is 19 September 2022.
- Applicants must apply online via eRecruitment
- No hard copy or emailed applications will be accepted
- Applicants must first create an eServices account on the City of Cape Town website
- Applicants may use any computer with internet access to apply
Seasonal firefighters are expected to work at least 40 hours a week for the duration of their contracts.
Their key responsibilities include firefighting duties under the guidance and supervision of firefighters and officers, preparing for emergency incidents, and creating fire breaks along the urban edge.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake a compulsory fitness test, and when they pass the physical test will also be required to pass a written assessment and interview.
The fitness test:
- A reach test of 1.9 metres
- 2.4 kilometre run within a prescribed time (12 minutes for men and 13 minutes for women)
- 30 sit-ups within 60 seconds
- 30 push-ups within 60 seconds
- 50 kilogram dead load carry over 100 metres
The top overall performers will be offered contracts as seasonal firefighters and will start their training on 1 November 2022.
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Picture: JP Smith / Facebook