Two weeks after a devastating fire destroyed 387 homes in Nomzamo, Strand (Ward 85), Atlantic Fire Services (AFS) returned to the community to help strengthen local fire readiness and resilience.

The training day brought together the Ward 85 Councillor, community leaders, and 80 dedicated volunteers for fire awareness and fire safety training. As part of AFS’s ongoing Volunteer Community Firefighting Program, 40 fire extinguishers were issued to be deployed across identified high-risk areas, ensuring faster local response when fires break out.

Addressing the community, AFS Commander Paul Krüger spoke about the urgency of empowering residents to protect themselves.

“We are in Nomzamo, in Strand, Cape Town. We are here with the Councillor of Ward 85, community leaders, and 80 dedicated volunteers. We are building our volunteer community firefighting program,” said AFS Commander Paul Krüger.

“We are from Hout Bay. Two to three years ago, I saw a problem — people are suffering. Houses are burning down. People are dying every year. In November alone this year, more than 1,000 houses burned down. I know you also had a very big fire here.”

Krüger highlighted the human cost of fires and the importance of immediate community response.

“Twenty people, including seven children, died in one month. That is why we are here. We will now donate 40 fire extinguishers that will go into the high-risk areas of this community. These extinguishers will be manned by different teams to protect Nomzamo from these devastating fires.”

AFS emphasised that the initiative goes beyond equipment donation, focusing on long-term capacity building.

“We don’t only donate fire extinguishers. We also give you training and ongoing support,” Krüger explained.
“We are now going to show you how to use a fire extinguisher optimally — when to use it — to protect your homes and save your lives.”

By empowering residents with knowledge, equipment, and structured response teams, Atlantic Fire Services continues to help communities recover after tragedy and prepare for the future.

Empowering communities after tragedy. Protecting lives and homes. Together, we build resilience.