The Fire Fighter 1 Winter Class of 2017 of the Cape Winelands Fire and Rescue Training Academy had its official passing out parade on Friday September 1, in Stellenbosch.
Fire fighter I is the entry level for professional fire fighters working under direct supervision and exposes learners to the basic fundamentals of fire fighting. The South African Emergency Service Institute (SAESI) accepts this international standard as the South African level of competence to perform as a professional fire fighter.
The 33 fire fighter students who passed out were from Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM), Breede Valley Municipality, Oudtshoorn Municipality, Stellenbosch Municipality, Overberg Municipality and Overstrand Municipality, as well as from the South African Navy.
Executive Mayor for CWDM, Dr Helena von Schlicht, in her address to the fire fighters and their families, congratulated all and reminded them of discipline and how essential it is to be a successful fire fighter and saluted fire fighters for always displaying this characteristic. Five students who excelled in different areas during the course received special awards.
Best theoretical student was awarded to Ricardo August, South African Navy; best practical student went to Grant Buys, Breede Valley Municipality; Nigel Giddion, CWDM, received most improved student; most disciplined student was awarded to Anele Mhlola, CWDM and student of the course went to Shane October, Overberg Municipality.
