The City of Ekurhuleni’s Fire Department has ramped up its training with advanced water-rescue exercises at Germiston Lake, sharpening its readiness for high-risk emergencies.
As part of the programme, firefighters conducted intensive water-rescue drills, swimming from the lake’s edge to a buoy at the mid-point.
The exercises are designed to strengthen both rescue techniques and equipment-handling capabilities, ensuring teams can respond effectively during large-scale incidents.
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On April 10, the focus shifted to high-capacity water pumping systems, with specialised equipment tested on-site at the lake.
Speaking on behalf of the department, DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi highlighted the technology’s uniqueness, noting that it is among the most advanced of its kind in the country.
During the demonstration, two powerful pumps were submerged in the lake, drawing water through hoses to supply a marine pump.
The water was then channelled through the Menefee System, which can connect up to eight 100mm diameter hoses, before being discharged back into the lake via the Ambassador unit.
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At the centre of the exercise was the Hytrans fire system, a high-volume mobile water supply system capable of supporting prolonged firefighting operations.
“This system requires a substantial volume of water to function effectively and is specifically designed for large-scale incidents, including fires that can take days to extinguish,” said Ntladi.
“The system achieved a pressure of 12 bar, equivalent to 1 200 kilopascals (kPa), demonstrating its capacity to deliver water at force over extended distances.
“Fortunately, we have multiple water sources across the city. Instead of relying solely on fire engines to shuttle water, we can deploy this system to attack fires with greater intensity,” explained Ntladi.
He added that these exercises mark a significant step forward in the department’s preparedness for high-risk rescue and firefighting operations, ensuring that when disaster strikes, the team is equipped to respond with speed, skill, and strength.
