POLOKWANE – Working on Fire Limpopo (WOF) concluded their preparations for the winter fire season at the Yellow Card Training Camp held in Polokwane in March.
The fire season is expected to commence from June 1 and a total of 575 firefighters attached to the WOF programme will be stationed at 25 bases in the province .The fire fighters have been fully trained to deal with wildfires and are well-prepared for the upcoming season.
The training included physical fitness, fire wall aimed at acclimatizing them to heat and smoke aswell as maintaining discipline on a daily basis.
Ofentse Letswalo, WOF spokesperson highlighted that the firefighters attached to the programme work for extensive hours at times while fighting fires.
“They need to uphold WOF’s high standard of fitness as it is one of the important aspects. The 2.4km run is one of the fitness standards and makes up a part of the annual Yellow Card Training Camp in preparation for the winter fire season. It also brings out the spirit of completion to the firefighters,” he said.
Phuti Matlala, a firefighter stationed at the Marakele Base participated in the 10km Marakele Marathon and obtained the first position. However, it didn’t end there, he also received an award for the best 2.4-kilometer runner at the Yellow Card Training Camp completing the assessment in 8.35 minutes.
Matlala became part of the WOF family in July 2022, after completing and obtaining a qualification in Millwright at Thabazimbi Waterberg TVET College.
The firefighter had been passionate about becoming an athlete from a young age. He discovered his gift while in primary school, participating in sports. “This is a great achievement for me, obtaining the first position out of over a thousand people who were also participating in the Marakele Marathon means a million.”
