BREYTEN – A lack of physical fitness has caused female aspirant firefighters being turned away from the recently held recruitment processes at Msukaligwa Local Municipality.
The day started with a 2,4km race which had many giving up before the finishing line with others finishing long after the prescribed period of time.
Part of the recruitment process included different types of exercises for those who made it through the race, such as push-ups among others. One could tell from the expression on their faces that is was not an easy task.
The females were all disqualified and the recruitment officers were not impressed with them for not meeting their expectations, with some allegedly smelling of liquor.
“No one qualified and we will give you time to go back and prepare yourself for these exercises again. We will call you at a later date,” said Mr Bongani Nhlabathi, operational manager for the provincial Working on Fire (WoF).
Nhlabathi added that the girls’ entry level would be extended and the company would readvertise so they could prepare themselves for the exercises.
According to Nhlabathi, the aim was to recruit 24 trainees of whom
33 per cent were females.
He added that the recruitment process will be followed by
25 days of intense training at the WoF Academy in Mbombela.
“Successful candidates will also receive training in brush cutting, chain sawing, she-rap, first aid, catering, bricklaying, communication skills, stock control and other programmes relevant to firefighting,” he said.
“This is entry level to firefighting after which they can require firefighting skills,” he said, adding that the co-function of the programme was to assist in the government’s fight against unemployment and poverty.
“After finishing these courses they will be employed at their base and can apply to further their skills,” he said.
