WoF anticipates a busy fire season – starts with crucial training

The Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries Working on Fire (WoF) programme will conduct a yellow card training assessment to test the fitness of its firefighters in preparation for the upcoming winter fire season.

This year’s yellow card training assessments will be held at each of the 17 bases across the province due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 330 firefighters in the province will be assessed by the trainers from Kishugu Training Academy.

Among the activities firefighters are expected to complete are a 2,4km run, pull-ups and push-ups, a firewall exercise, and a route march.

General manager of the WoF programme in Gauteng, Stephen Boyes, said yellow card assessment training ensures that firefighters are fit and ready for the expected to be very busy fire season.

“We have put all the necessary occupational health and safety measures in place throughout our operations to save and protect the lives of our firefighters as essential workers. In all the bases we have heightened supply awareness and education, and supplied masks, sanitizers, water, hand soaps and screen devices,” said Boyes.

He added that the province has extensive awareness and education programmes for management and firefighters pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic. Health guidelines are strictly adhered to and compliance is enforced at all times. Boyes said firefighters being treated for chronic illnesses will not be expected to partake in the assessments because of the high risk.

“Assessing the firefighters is part of observing and implementing occupational health and safety rules. The safety of our firefighters is our number-one concern,” said Boyes.