The City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service will welcome young and old to their fire stations on Thursday, when International Firefighters’ Day will be celebrated.
Also read: Photos: Aerial firefighters – fighting wildfires from the sky
The open day, which is quite popular, will give residents an opportunity to learn more about the service and what they do.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith will join firefighters at the Goodwood Fire Station as they showcase some of their daily activities.
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‘Our Fire & Rescue Service has proven to not only be indispensable in ensuring the safety and security of all our residents, but show heart and courage in the face of danger,’ he said. ‘Our firefighters risk their lives to save others despite the challenges of coming under attack at times.’
‘This Thursday, join me in meeting and celebrating the firefighters who serve our communities with courage.’
Also read: Cape Winelands firefighters contain blaze above Waverley Hills
During the past summer season, the service was augmented by 111 seasonal firefighters who assisted in combating wildfires and enabled the service to respond to 7 409 vegetation fires between November 2022 and April 2023.
This does not include the thousands of emergency calls to which the Fire & Rescue Service responds throughout the year. Between 1 May 2022 and 28 April 2023, they responded to 22 506 calls, and while the majority of these calls were fire-related, 3 613 were motor vehicle accidents, 1 104 were assault incidents, and many were medical emergencies.
Also read: Firefighters struggle to contain inferno on Du Toitskloof Pass
In addition, the fleet has been bulked up, and the service now boasts 72 fire engines, 28 water tankers, 28 skid units, 17 rescue vehicles and 10 aerial vehicles.
The fire stations will be open to the public on Thursday from 11am to 5pm.
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City firefighters raise nearly R30 000 for Volunteer Wildfire Services
Picture: Unsplash