Teams take on the challenge at FTC competition
The competition attracted participants from across Gauteng including Boksburg, Wadeville and Olifantsfontein.
Over 30 teams of industrial firefighters took part in a two-day Mutual Risk Group (MRG) Competition at FTC Modderfontein last week.
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The competition attracted participants from across Gauteng, including Boksburg, Wadeville and Olifantsfontein.
Participants competed in timed team events which included knot tying, hose rolling and equipment recognition.
The competition started over 20 years ago to promote continuous proficiency in firefighting in the industrial sector.
“These are not professional firefighters by any means, but they play a crucial role in fire containment until the fire department arrives on the scene,” said event organiser Marlene van der Merwe.
“The participants are employees in the industrial sector. We have many success stories where the firefighters contained and put out fires before the fire department event arrived. It’s all about protecting life and assets”.
She added that over the two days of the competition, it gets competitive.
“Some of the teams practise every week, year round.”
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MRG holds four competitions every year across the country.
This year’s top teams will compete in the finals which take place next year at a venue outside of Vereeniging.
MRG risk manager Tian Botha said MRG manages risks at 21 of the largest manufacturing companies in South Africa.
“This is the first time we are back at the competition since the pandemic and we almost reached pre-Covid levels for entries.”
“The top six teams from this competition will make it through to the finals where they will fight it out for some cool prizes,” he added.
Iain Fourie, owner of FTC Modderfontein and director of The Public Safety Company, said the FTC team was thrilled to once again be able to host the MRG Competition.
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“It’s important for industries to promote proficiency in firefighting. Events such as this showcase the value of the training employees undergo.
“Some of the teams we’ve seen in action over the two days would easily rival the skills of professional firefighters.”
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