The City of Ekurhuleni boasts the first-ever group of technical rescuers in Africa accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).
The group of 25 was chosen from different fire stations across the city and studied through the City of Ekurhuleni training academy.
Kempton Park Fire Station boasts two firefighters who completed the training. They are Bawelile Mlangeni and Phentle Seepe.
This academy is the only training provider accredited by the South African Emergency Services Institute (SAESI) for the full technical rescuers qualifications in line with IFSAC requirements.
“They are competent in all 17 technical rescue modules, including rope, confined space, structural collapse, trench, swift water and vehicle rescues,” said William Ntladi, spokesperson for Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Services (DEMS).
“These rescuers will be an added advantage in terms of numbers to the existing ones within the City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Services,” Ntladi said.
Placed strategically across the city, their skills will assist in minimising the loss of life and damage to properties in the shortest possible time.
The programme is ongoing and a new batch of firefighters is already in class for the 2019 academic year.
The academy intends to train another 24 firefighters as technical rescuers this year. The aim is to sustain the training until every firefighter in Ekurhuleni has qualified as a technical rescuer.
