Meet-and-greet between EMS heroes and the public

The community had the chance to meet their first responder heroes.

It’s not every day that you get to meet the people who risk their lives to protect and care for you but thanks to Friends of Emergency Services, residents had the opportunity to do a meet-and-greet on Saturday, March 11, between 16:00 and about 19:00 at the corner of Voortrekker Road and Soutpansberg Street in Noordheuwel.

Friends of Emergency Services was founded by Dale Mac Rae in March 2020, just before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. The organisation initially started with the sole purpose of serving those in need in the community, but it has done so much more in the last few years and is still intent on embarking on so much more projects to serve the community. At the event, a variety of first responders, police officers, and security guards who risk their lives to ensure the safety of the community, were met.

Also read: Meet local real-life emergency heroes

Among the first responders in attendance were EPR Security, Sector 3 CPF, Sector 7 CPF, Mogale City Municipal emergency services, and the Krugersdorp fire department.
First responders were in their uniforms and were accompanied by their friends and family members. It was an opportunity for residents to see that many of the first responders also have people close to them as their spouses, children, and friends.

The directors of the organisation are Dale Mac Rae, Elsie Wolfaardt, Annge Oosthuizen, and Sharday van den Berg.

“It is all about the community and creating a safer environment for our families,” said one of the Friends of Emergency Services directors, Dale Mac Rae.

She added the organisation does a variety of community work, more than just the security of the neighbourhood. The organisation has core projects ranging from assisting communities during or after a disaster has taken place, they have school visits to expose the youth to emergency services, they provide food and clothing to those who are in need in the community.

Also read: Safety number one priority for police on first day of school

The organisation was satisfied with the reception of the residents who gathered to meet the responders and intends on hosting more events in the future.

“To know more about Friends of Emergency services and what you can do to assist you can contact them on friendsofemergencyservices@gmail.com.

You can also contact:

• Dale Mac Rae (082 609 9526)
• Elise Wolfaardt (082 926 1327)
• Annge Oosthuizen (083 651 2054)
• Sharday van den Berg (064 169 7922)