Two public safety Emergency Management Services employees from Johannesburg have received an Integrity Idols South Africa Award for their extraordinary contribution to youth development.
Station Commanders Joycelyn Flank and Deon Esau were among the top five nominees to have received this reward. For the past 14 years, they have devoted their time and personal resources to empower young people between the ages of 12 and 18 with basic skills in fire and water safety, life, leadership and communications.
Each year Flank, Esau and their team take on 220 aspiring cadets and train them at the Florida Fire Station. Many of the cadets are from poverty-stricken communities and indigent families. For about eight hours every Saturday and Sunday, the children commit themselves to learn life-saving skills that will advance and impact their lives and the lives of the people around them in a positive manner.
Flank said, “It is humbling to be recognised for the work we have done. When we started this project it was not for the praise, but to change the lives of young people. I am very honoured and encouraged by this award.”
Commander Esau also added, “It’s incredible to be among such great leaders of our society who do their best every day to impact positively on the lives of others. To share a stage with these awesome people is simply amazing.”
Once the cadets have completed the full programme and reach the age of 18, they become eligible to enrol in the Emergency Management Services Explorer Programme for the full preparatory training to become qualified firefighters or Emergency Medical Technicians.
Since the inception of this programme, many of the cadets and explorers have become qualified firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians for the City of Johannesburg, other metropolitans, the provincial government and other private institutions. This is why they were awarded this prestigious award, in recognition of selfless work by civil servants who have gone above and beyond the call of duty across the country.
Johannesburg MMC of Public Safety, councillor Michael Sun said that the commitment and achievements by the two commanders, as well as cadets and explores, has humbled everyone and they will continue to support them in these programmes. “I want to express our appreciation to them for flying the Joburg Emergency Management Services’ flag high and I look forward to seeing more young people joining the city’s emergency services. We also want to express our congratulations to all other winners of the Integrity Idols Awards, as they are true examples of civil service and society.”
The Speaker of Council, councillor Vasco da Gama added to the sentiments and said, “As the City of Johannesburg, we are extremely proud of Commander Flank and Commander Esau for this astounding achievement. You are a beacon of hope for young people in this country. Congratulations, may you continue the great work.”
