EVERY day, South Africa’s emergency and rescue personnel give 100% to saving lives. Not because it is their job, but because they wholeheartedly believe that every single life is worth saving.
More often than not their stories of courage go unrecognised and unrewarded. Centrum® Guardians was created to honour these incredible human beings and give them the respect they deserve.
Since 2008, Centrum®, South Africa’s leading multivitamin, has been recognising the awe-inspiring work of these individuals through the pioneering Centrum® Guardians Project. The only project of its kind in the world, these countless stories of endurance, tenacity, skill and teamwork are retold in fascinating detail indocumentary drama episodes that can be viewed on the website www.centrumguardians.com . These episodes create a rare and compelling showcase over eight years, covering the devoted service to South Africans in need. The South African Emergency and Rescue Services are ranked amongst the best in the world. Centrum® is proud to be able to help raise public awareness and well-deserved recognition of this fact.
The four 2015 finalists have been announced:
Cynthia Maqungu, a Reservist Fire Fighter for Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Emergency Services. She saved three people from a burning shack at Ramaphosa Informal Settlement. As a Reservist Fire Fighter, Maqungu works with the PIER (Public Information, Education and Relations) group who are trained to assist in informal settlement emergencies. She used this opportunity to educate the community on fire safety as well as the importance of having sand or water readily available in their homes in the event of a fire.
Michael Callow, an ALS (Advanced Life Support) Paramedic for Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Emergency Services. He was instrumental in saving the lives of one innocent bystander and two Metro Police Officers after one of the bloodiest shootouts in Ekurhuleni’s history. His skill, expertise and out-of-the-box thinking helped him to save lives.
Robin Fortuin, a 23-year old Volunteer Rescue Swimmer for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Strandfontein Base Station. Against all odds, the then 21-year old saved six people from drowning in the treacherous rip currents at Monwabisi Beach.
The Structural Collapse 100-crew rescue team made up of members of the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Emergency Services, West Rand District Municipality Emergency Services, Rescue South Africa, South African Police Services K9 Search and Rescue, University of Johannesburg Faculty of Health Sciences, Riga Rescue (K9 Search and Rescue), Chris Hani Baragwanath Trauma Doctor and Anaesthetists, ER24 and Off Road Rescue Unit (ORRU). This incredible team of rescue personnel worked tirelessly for over 24 hours, amid tons of fallen concrete, steel beams, exposed rebar and jagged rubble to save five lives.
Over the last eight years, the project has profiled 53 finalists across various emergency disciplines such as medical, water, fire and rescue. Over 450 nominations were received and 3362 lives were directly affected in the 53 finalist incidents.
Watch their stories and vote for your favourite finalist on the Centrum® Guardians website www.centrumguardians.com
During July and August 2015, the public can help to save a life when purchasing any Centrum® product. For every pack of Centrum® sold, Centrum® will contributefunding towards specialised training for the emergency and rescue services.
“For the last eight years, Centrum® has been the very proud sponsor of this initiative. We have met many dedicated men and women who put their own lives at risk to save the lives of their fellow South Africans. We have heard dramatic stories of rescues that have taken our breath away and brought tears to our eyes. We are constantlyamazed at the modesty of the nominees and finalists when we ask how they were brave enough to run into burning buildings or swim into dark, stormy waters to save lives. We have a renewed respect for what it takes to be an emergency services member, whether they are a firefighter, rescuer or paramedic,” said Natasha Macdonald, the Centrum® Brand Manager.
For more information, please visit www.centrumguardians.com
