38 new firefighters join forces, called out to Procforum fire
The rookies underwent extensive theoretical and practical training over two courses (Firefighter I and II) in preparation for the demanding duty.
The Tshwane metro’s Emergency Services Department welcomed 38 newly qualified firefighters joining the force this week.
This comes after 13 servicemen and women were recently let go due to approaching retirement.
The newbies were accredited during a passing out parade on September 5.
It was attended by Tshwane mayor Randall Williams, acting emergency services chief Moshema Mosia and community safety MMC Rina Marx.
The 13 retirees were honoured for their service to the metro during the ceremony as well.
The rookies underwent extensive theoretical and practical training over two courses in preparation for the demanding duty.
Ironically, during the parade commemorating firefighters, a fire at the Legal Practice Council’s Gauteng provincial offices, also known as Procforum, broke out.
Located at 123 Paul Kruger Street in central Pretoria, the office block’s ground-, first-, and second floors were engulfed in flames.
A team of firefighters and other emergency responders were sent out to attend to the blaze immediately.
The metro’s bravest were able to contain and extinguish the blaze, avoiding any loss of life. Multiple patients were treated for minor injuries and the SAPS recently announced that two arrests have been made in connection with the fire.
ALSO READ: Procforum in central Pretoria catches fire
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello announced that a 21-year-old and 46-year-old have been arrested and charged with arson and malicious property damage. The suspects were two of the eight patients that received care from emergency responders. They are expected to appear before the Pretoria North magistrate’s court in due course.
Williams commended the firefighters for their proficiency and fidelity while attending to the blaze, and states that the metro is grateful for all the services emergency responders provide to the city daily.
“We appreciate the critical role that men and women in uniform from various disciplines play in keeping our communities safe, be it crime-fighting, responding to emergencies, assisting the ill or putting out fires,” said Williams.
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