Fire training centre re-launches

Passion was the driving force behind two former emergency services employees reopening the Ken Horsley Fire Training Centre in Modderfontein.

The self-funded project will see the re-launch of a facility that will benefit the emergency services sector and community.

The two men behind the mammoth project are Ian Fourie, a former paramedic and owner of The Public Safety Company, and Nic Bruchhausen, a former Edenvale firefighter and internationally accredited rescue technician.

Fourie told the NEWS the idea for the re-launch of the centre was something the two had spoken about for many years.

“When the property became available in Modderfontein, Nic phoned me and three days later I gave in. We entered into discussions with AECI for a lease of the premises,” he said.

The process of clearing and restoring the property started last year, with the two working tirelessly to ensure the venue is safe to use.

“The property is available to those in the emergency medical services (EMS) industry for training. This is the only venue of its kind in the greater Johannesburg area. We’ve received such amazing feedback from businesses in the emergency field,” Fourie said.

He added that looking to the future the duo hopes to launch a number of community safety programmes targeted at saving lives before EMS personnel arrive at a scene.

“We have so many plans, and the community will benefit from the training we will be able to host,” he said. “This has always been a magical place for the both of us, and we want to share that with the communities of Edenvale, Modderfontein, Bedfordview, Germiston, Kempton Park and Thembisa. We want to share our passion with the people who will benefit from us being here,” Fourie said.

Bruchhausen added the training centre was the perfect place to introduce community members to the world of emergency services.

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Residents can look forward to community fire training days and basic emergency care training sessions. Speaking on the name change for the venue, Fourie said they wanted to bring the centre back to its roots.

“We want to showcase the centre’s history within the community,” he said. Both Fourie and Bruchhausen hope to turn the facility into a place the community can be proud of.

“The Ken Horsley Fire Training Centre is as much a part of the community as we are. We want the residents who visit us to leave here with lasting memories,” Fourie said.

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