The Ekurhuleni Fire Fighters Technical Rescuers is the first group of technical rescuers in Africa to be accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).
They studied through the City of Ekhurhuleni Training Academy. This batch of students is first in the country that completed and qualified as full IFSAC accredited technical rescuers.
William Ntladi, the Ekurhuleni Emergency Services (EMS) spokesperson, said they were all successful in all 17 technical rescue modules, including rope, confined space, structural collapse, trench, swift water, vehicle, machinery and technical rescue modules.
“The aim is to sustain the training till every firefighter qualifies as a technical rescuer within the City of Ekurhuleni. The specific rescuers will be an added advantage.
“The programme is continuous and the new batch of firefighters is already in class for the 2019 academic year. The academy intends to train and qualify an extra 24 firefighters as technical rescuers, come the end of 2019,” said Ntladi.
“During the intake they all had to comply in accordance to IFSAC standards, a doctor’s medical fitness certificate being a primary intake requirement. Secondary to that, physical fitness level including endurance obstacles course should be complied with,” Ntladi explained.
“Placed strategically across the city, their skills will assist in minimising the loss of life and damage to properties in the shortest possible amount of time.”
