Firefighting a good career path
Mphuthi encourages the youth to join the disaster and emergency services fraternity.
Motseki Johney Mphuthi, a senior district manager with Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services, said young people who want to be firefighters should excel in mathematics and physical sciences in high school.
He said they have to also obtain a matric certificate, driver’s licence and firefighting 1 and 2 certificates. Mphuthi’s main responsibility is to oversee operations initiated by firefighters in his district, which covers Boksburg and Germiston.
“I started as a rookie firefighter in 2000 after obtaining my driver’s licence and my firefighting 1 and 2 certificates. I arrived in Gauteng from the Free State in 1996 but it took me a while to get my dream job because I had to raise money to study and get a driver’s licence by working temporary jobs.
“Learners interested in firefighting as a career should pursue their dreams as there are several opportunities in the emergency and disaster management sector.”
Mphuthi advised matric learners who want to be firefighters to research the responsibilities and roles of a firefighter.
“I was promoted to a firefighter in 2003 after I obtained my ambulance emergency assistant certificate. Thereafter, I was promoted to a senior firefighter in 2006 and two years later to shift manager. This is after I obtained a BTech degree in fire technology,” said Mphuthi.
He said it is important for people who are employed as firefighters to improve their qualifications.
“With more qualifications, you are a greater asset to the disaster and emergency services. My promotions didn’t end there. In 2010 I was promoted to a station manager, a post I held until 2014. In late 2014, I was promoted to district manager. I have been a district manager for seven years and aim to reach even higher,” stated Mphuthi.
He added that firefighters face certain challenges.
“It is stressful as we often work in unfavourable conditions. I believe it is important for any firefighter to be mentally and physically strong.”
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