Strengthening Fire Readiness Across 11 Informal Settlements

Atlantic Fire & Rescue hosted a powerful and productive training day in Lwandle, bringing together community leaders, councillors, and emergency officials for a critical fire awareness and fire safety initiative. The day was attended by Cllr. Xolani Diniso (Ward 86), members of CoCT Metro Police, City of Cape Town officials, and 50 community leaders representing 11 informal settlements, including Enkanini, Pholile A, Ezinkomeni, Wag ’n Bietjie 2A, Wag ’n Bietjie 2B, France, France Extension, Heken Square, and Green Point.

Despite the strong winds, every participant successfully completed the practical fire extinguisher training, showing commitment, focus, and teamwork.

Atlantic Fire & Rescue donated essential equipment to support fire readiness across these communities:

• 40 x 9kg DCP fire extinguishers
• 10 first aid kits
• 1 megaphone

Training included fire awareness, identification of safety hazards, fire safety principles, and optimal use of the 9kg DCP fire extinguisher.

“We are here in Lwandle with the councillor, community leaders, and the community,” said AFR Commander Paul Krüger. “We are busy with our volunteer community firefighting program. We want to hand over 40 x 9kg DCP fire extinguishers for the community, as well as 10 first aid kits and a megaphone to protect the community. The community has now formed teams already in the 10 high-risk areas. These teams will now protect these communities to stop these devastating fires that we have in the informal settlements.”

The Councillor Xolani Diniso expressed his gratitude and support for the initiative:
“Also, I want to thank the United Fire and Rescue for bringing this very good initiative to mitigate and reduce the fact that there have been a lot of encounters in previous months. We have started a fire system. We hope that all of these committees and leaders that are here today will be able to make sure that when fires start, they will be prepared to make sure that they reduce the structures that are going to be affected. So, one more time, thank you.”

Atlantic Fire & Rescue remains committed to safeguarding and protecting our people, our communities, and our families.

AFR salutes every volunteer, leader, and partner who stood with us in Lwandle.