Toti fireman climbs judging ladder

A Toti Fire division commander has been selected as an International World Rescue Organisation judge.

Due to his participation and commitment since 1992, Narend Birjalal of Effingham Heights was recruited in 2013, then went on a judging seminar at the conference training symposium.

“I was advised by the chief judge of the extrication where I was judging for the 2015 competion that they were impressed with my work as a national judge and it was time for me to shadow judge to become eligible to judge in the world completion. Brazil was mentioned for 2018,” he said.

“My involvement in extrication goes back to 1992, where the then Durban team came second, and because of our high level of performance, was selected to compete in the world challenge in England. That was was my first achievement and what a good experience.”

The extrication competition is held every two years, where the entire South African Emergency Services Institute (SAESI) come together to compete on a national level, displaying skill in motor vehicle accidents relating to patient care, extrication techniques, incident command and control, and also innovated methods of patient removal from a wreckage with the utmost respect given to the safety of crews and the patient.

Two eThekweni teams, boasting seven Toti firefighters, participated in this year’s SAESI Conference 2015 at the Klipriviersberg Recreation Centre in Johannesburg from 1 to 6 November, where they pitted their skills against others from around the country in the vehicle extrication and high angle rope rescue events.

Narend has been a firefighter for 30 years and a division commander since 2010. He was born in Clare Estate in Durban and attended Burn Wood Secondary School in Sydenham.

“I had just completed my military service and the fire department was recruiting, so I applied and was successful. Thereafter it became my passion. It is a good feeling when you can help someone in need. And here I am 30 years later.

All my practical training and academic qualification was done while I was in the service. I was awarded the best academic award in 2012. In 2015 I was also awarded fellowship membership of the South African Fire and Emergency Institute.

I enjoy fighting fire, the rescues and the personnel, who are all jovial types,” said Narend, who can be found jogging, weight training, on the soccer field or volleyball court in his spare time.

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