A dedicated and newly qualified Estcourt firefighter, Jade Tredoux is overjoyed to have completed her firefighting studies – a career she has always dreamed of pursuing. Her courage and passion for helping others, along with her desire to save lives, inspired her to choose this profession.

A former Estcourt High School learner who matriculated in 2024, Jade explained to the Estcourt News that her motivation came from knowing she could help people in many ways. “When you save someone from a fire, you’re not only saving their life, you’re also saving their home and a home holds memories. Knowing I could protect that and help people was my biggest reason for wanting to do this,” she says.

Jade shared that the journey was far from easy…

“The whole process of studying was very tough because you have to be both physically and mentally strong. Many people think firefighting is all about physical fitness, but mental strength is just as important because of the impact the work has on you. The physical part is challenging, but you also have to study hard. To pass, you need to score over 70%, which was demanding. Waking up early to study was tough, but necessary,” she says.

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She encourages other young people considering a career in firefighting to prepare themselves in every aspect. “You must be physically fit, mentally strong and give it your all to succeed. Believe in yourself and know how to study effectively because the course is short, the textbooks are huge, and you have limited time,” she advises.

“I always tell people that anyone can do it if they put their mind to it; it’s possible,” she adds.

Jade is now looking forward to joining the workforce, though there are currently no vacancies. Her goal is to secure a firefighting position and prove her skills in serving the community.

“I want to show what I’ve learned and be an asset in helping people,” she concludes.

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