Firefighter stamps honour real-life action heroes
A limited edition set of eight stamps celebrating firefighters is available from the South African Post Office.
The artwork for the set of eight stamps was done by Jaco Botha, a graphic design student at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
The TUT design department incorporated the stamp design project into their curriculum.
Each stamp costs R3.30 and can be used as postage on a standard letter.
The design students were required to create images that reflect different aspects of firefighting and its sub-sections, as well as the history of firefighting in SA.
The Ekurhuleni Metro’s Disaster and Management Services provided guidance in this regard and helped to ensure that the firefighters’ uniforms, vehicles and equipment were depicted accurately on the stamp.
The back of the stamp sheet contains guidelines on fire safety at home, including hints on avoiding firesfires and what action to take in the event of fire.
The role of firefighters is to protect lives and property.
No matter what country a firefighter lives in, they work together against one common enemy – fire.
A firefighter are not only trained to put out fires, they are trained as paramedics and rescuers who assist during emergencies and local and national disasters including floods, earthquakes and traffic accidents.
The first image on the stamp sheet depicts a 1920 Dennis fire engine used in SA at the time, with a typical fire station from the time in the background, while the second stamp shows a typical modern day fire engine and fire station in SA.
The rest of the stamps show modern firefighters in action.
The stamps can be ordered on www.virtual post office.co.za or send an email to sastamps@postoffice.co.zaza.
Only 20 000 sheets were printed and for this reason, the stamps will be available at selected post offices only.
