Tribute to volunteer firefighters in Knysna
Before leaving for Wilderness she spoke to Johannesbburg MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, and together they decided to pay tribute to the firefighters. “These tributes are our way of letting them know we were with them in spirit even though we weren’t there,” added Sun.
WARD 23 councillor, Sarah Wissler, was holidaying in Wilderness a week or two ago and visited all the fire stations in Kynsna, George and Plettenberg Bay, giving them a framed tribute to thank all the local firefighters for the wonderful job they did fighting the fires and for putting their lives at risk.
“Although we had seen TV coverage of the fires, it was nothing compared to our horror of how bad it actually looked when we visited. Fire fighters run into danger while we are running away,” she said.
Before leaving for Wilderness she spoke to Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun, and together they decided to pay tribute to the firefighters. “These tributes are our way of letting them know we were with them in spirit even though we weren’t there,” added Sun.
The Mayor of George, Melvin Naik, thanked Clr Wissler for recognising the firefighters and said they fought the blaze for days, risking their lives to save others. George Portfolio Councillor for Community Safety and Security, Cecil Noble, added his thanks and Fire Chief of George, Neels Barnard, said, “Thank you for this tribute. It will mean so much to our brave firefighters. These devastating fires will never be forgotten.”
The tribute reads: “Department of Public Safety: In remembrance of those brave men and women of Public Safety in Knysna and surrounding areas who fought the blaze for days and for those who lost their lives trying to save residents, animals and homes. We will never forget June 2017. Presented by Department of Public Safety City of Johannesburg”. A quote at the bottom reads: “I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me”- Joshua Graham. The photos displayed with the tribute are by Eyewitness News.
Firefighters are close to Clr Wissler’s heart and she is intent on trying to assist all the fire stations under Johannesburg’s jurisdiction and has already been instrumental in getting donations to make Kibler Park Fire Station a more comfortable place to work. “As Stakeholder Relations Officer under Public Safety, I want to make a difference at all fire stations within the Johannesburg area. If anyone can donate washing machines, microwaves, flatscreen TVs, kitchen utensils, office furniture, dart boards, blankets, etc, all of these things will help make firefighters’ lives more comfortable while they are at the fire stations.”
Also Read:
Donations needed for Knysna fire relief efforts
South community lends a helping hand for Knysna fire victims
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