Thanks to a generous donation made on 23 March, emergency service workers in Dainfern will now be able to sleep peacefully after a long shift of keeping the community safe.
Fire Ops, a non-profit company located within Dainfern Estate, settled in a small building within the estate in November last year. They currently rely on sponsors from the community and local businesses. The small group of firefighters used stretchers and blankets to rest after their shifts as they had no beds.
Master firefighter at Fire Ops, Henti Pretorius said the station reached out to many different stores and organisations in the Fourways community to ask for assistance in settling into their new home away from home.
“We are a small team, with four of on shift at a time here. We can easily have 24- to 48-hour long shifts. We approached The Bed Shop and they immediately agreed to come on board. To know now that we each have a warm bed here waiting after a long shift is amazing. From the word go they offered to make a plan for us,” he said.
Branch manager of The Bed Shop Fourways, Karen Herman said the store immediately wanted to get involved in helping the station, as getting in touch with the community was their number one priority.
“We did this as a way to say thanks for all that they do. Their job is not easy in keeping us safe. When they came to our shop, it absolutely broke my heart to hear of their current conditions,” said Herman.
One of the newest recruits at the station, Aaron Buys said he lived in Benoni and the new beds were a wonderful addition to the station. “I started here on 1 March and I’m really enjoying being here which is like a second home. Travelling every day to and from home is too expensive, so it makes more sense to stay here. The beds are a valued addition,” said the 20-year-old.
Pretorius said there was still much that was needed as two more stations in Midrand and Rosebank were to open soon. Pretorius expressed his gratitude to everyone who has assisted.
“With the new stations opening soon, we are going to be needing more things that side. Even here, we still need some items. Possibly lockers or something similar. He added, “We are working hard to try and get this place off the ground.”
Details: For more information, contact Henti Pretorius on hentie@fireopssa.co.za
