Ekurhuleni firefighter sweeps accolades in Joburg

After returning home empty-handed from many previous local and international competitions, Thokoza firefighter finally swept his first gold medal at the Dräger Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge (DFCRC) national competition, held at Sandston on July 28.

Abel Ramavhunga (47) from Thokoza Fire Station waited 13 years before obtaining his first-ever gold medal at the DFCRC.

A group of at least 19 firefighters participated in the competition, including three managers who were coaching the team.

According to the Ekurhuleni DEMS spokesperson William Mogale Ntladi, the group obtained four accolades including two gold medals, a silver and a trophy.

Ramavhunga said the competition was tough as there were different phases whereby they had to compete in groups and individually.

“The competition included confined space rescue and weightlifting according to one’s fitness level,” Ramavhunga explained.

“In the first phase we do it as a relay but ultimately we end up competing individually, based on age categories.
“I felt happy that I was able to bring something back to Thokoza Fire Station and Ekurhuleni.

“I first entered the competition in 2009 under the South African Emergency Services Institute, without winning anything. This time I told my manager that if I return empty-handed I am retiring because age counts against me.”

Ramavhunga said he aimed to groom young firefighters to know the culture of work at the fire department.

“Firefighting requires fitness because it is a dangerous job. For example, when we talk of confined spaces is not an easy environment because we work in dark spaces filled with smoke,” he said.

Ntladi said looking at the fact the competition was competed on a national level, he said it is great that the Ekurhuleni team came out with something.

He said they practised a lot as a team and still believe that they can do more.

“They requested to have more personnel participating because physical fitness in fire and emergency services is a key element – in a sense that you need to keep the endurance during structural firefighting and rescuing lives,” he added.

“We have different types of rescue, including confined space, high angle, and motor-vehicle among others,” said Ntladi.

“We are still new when it comes to this skill, but we performed very well. If we support them as management and the city, we will have more personnel who compete internationally.”

He said they previously had an individual who competed internationally and who helped with international rescue missions.

“As the CoE we have supported emergency personnel in the Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011 and the 2010 Haiti earthquake,” Ntladi shared.

Winners representing CoE

•The overall winner is Eni Manzini from Benoni Central Fire Station who obtained a gold medal and trophy.

• Ramavhunga from Thokoza Fire Station obtained a gold medal.

• Sunnyboy Terence Marosa from Leon Ferreira Fire Station, Boksburg, who obtained a silver medal.