When duty calls, Pinetown firefighter answers
Pinetown firefighter, Palesa Moloi is the epitome of perseverance and determination. The go-getter, who always goes beyond the call of duty, believes anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
THE feeling of saving a life is what ignites Palesa Moloi’s passion each day. For the 30-year-old Pinetown Fire Station firefighter, dropping out as a human resource student created a path to a career she was destined for.
Moloi, who joined Fire and Rescue Services in 2014, said while firefighters are unable to save everyone, she receives a great sense of fulfilment when she knows she has helped save a life, building or the environment.
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When asked what fueled the start of her journey, the dedicated Moloi said, “A friend told me there were vacancies for firefighters so I quickly applied.
“I was called in and after some grilling exercises and a few written tests, I made it. It was the best feeling,” she said.
Speaking about what a firefighter’s job entails, Moloi, who exercises daily after her day shift, said, “It’s not just about extinguishing fires. We are also called out to vehicle accidents where people are trapped in the wreckage.
“We are also called to help when buildings collapse or when a trench caves in. We also attend to animals stuck on tree branches,” smiled Moloi.
When duty calls
“When the bell rings, we leave everything, grab our fire fighting attire and get into that truck where we receive our brief shortly after,” she said.
Moloi said the perception that she part of a male-dominated field, inspires her to push further.
“Even my parents were worried about my decision and did not believe I could do the job. In this age, one can be surprised that people get shocked when they see women responding to an incident. They are amazed once they see that we are more than capable,” she added.
The mother of an 11-year-old daughter said she would not have done it without the support from colleagues and the department.
“There are many programmes to empower women. Management is supportive and prioritises empowerment,” said Moloi.
As a mother, she said it does get challenging when she witnesses accidents involving children.
She advised other women to not be afraid to go out there and fulfil their goals and dreams.
“We are more than capable and there is nothing you can not do if you put your mind to it.”
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
