Fire training imperative

HESSEQUA NEWS - Garden Route fire reservists recently underwent Basic Veld Firefighting Training under the supervision of the station officer for Fire and Safety Training, Deon Stoffels.

A group of dedicated volunteers from Afriforum Albertinia Farmwatch, Afriforum Aalwynfleur NHW, DOCS Stillbay Farmwatch, as well as the Community Policing Forum chairpersons from Riversdale, Stilbaai and Albertinia attended the training session.

They have been designated to the Hessequa region, working directly under the Garden Route District Municipality Fire Department.

Albertinia Farmwatch chairman Johan Wessels said: "We, as volunteers are often first to arrive on a veld fire scene and it is essential we train with the fire services, responsible for the whole of Hessequa.

"It not only ensures correct deployment of resources, but is imperative to the safety of all firefighters and volunteers in a veld fire situation."

The group who attended the training: Danro Frans (GRDM firefighter), Marco Wasserman, Deon Stoffels (GRDM station officer: Fire Safety and Training), Nita Wessels, Wayne Watson, Yolandie Cronjé, Wessel Cronjé, Reneisha Jafta (GRDM firefighter student), Johan Wessels, Basil Koopman, Jacques Thiart, Harry Stroebel, Chris Gerber (GRDM firefighter) and Brian Afrikaner (GRDM platoon officer for Riversdale and Ladismith). Photo: Mariska Visagie