LIMPOPO -301 Firefighters and management staff from WoF were deployed to Alberta, Canada, on 29 May to assist the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) with their wildland fire suppression efforts.
When the firefighters arrived in Canada, South Africans beamed with pride as they touched down and burst into song. Just days later, the firefighters left Fort McMurray over a pay dispute.
In a media statement WoF stated: “Working on Fire has successfully completed numerous international deployments in the past. We always agree on remuneration with our firefighters when going on deployments of this nature and, as in this instance, formal contracts were signed. We are currently investigating the matter internally.”
WoF employs more than 5000 young men and women who have been fully trained as wildland firefighters and are stationed in more than 200 bases throughout the country.
One of these bases are situated in Mogalakwena and under the leadership of the 26-year-old Abel Duna (Crew Leader), they have recently demonstrated their dedication, passion and commitment by being in the national top 10 performing teams in fire awareness activities. The Mogalakwena Team was awarded R1000 by the Fire Awareness National Officer for their hard work and for achieving position 3 in the whole country. This team even showed their dedication further by using their award money to donate cleaning products to the Mahwelereng Centre of Hope.
These members go above and beyond their call of duty when battling fires and last year, during the raging wild fires in Limpopo, one of the WoF firefighters from Northam died.
Duna said he is very proud of his team and second family, who is always prepared and willing to put their lives on the line to save others, the environment, and property from the damage caused by wildfires.
Over the years this team has proven that they are experts in firefighting and that they care a great deal for the community of Mogalakwena.
“We dream of being even bigger and better,” Duna said with a smile.
Mark Wreyford, Mogalakwena Base Manager, said: “Let’s not judge these firefighters before having all of the facts. I for one salute these brave men and women for all of their accomplishments nationally and internationally.”
redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
