Atlantic Fire Services (AFS) proudly delivered Volunteer Community Firefighting Training in Philippi East, Ward 35, empowering 60 community members, Neighbourhood Watch members, local youth, and Councillor Chitha with critical fire awareness and fire safety skills.

The training focused on fire awareness, fire prevention, and the practical use of fire extinguishers, equipping residents to respond immediately when fires break out — especially during the crucial early minutes before emergency services arrive.

To strengthen response capacity on the ground, AFS issued:

• 30 fire extinguishers
• 20 reflective jackets
• Equipment allocated across 7 high-risk informal settlements

By placing firefighting tools directly inside the community — where fires often start — AFS ensures that trained volunteers can act fast to prevent small incidents from escalating into devastating disasters.

A Program Built on Community Responsibility

Addressing the volunteers, Commander Paul Krüger introduced the Volunteer Community Firefighting Program:

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today to introduce our program: Volunteer Community Firefighting. We will donate fire extinguishers and training.

We are going to show you how to use a fire extinguisher and when to use it. With that, we also donate our support. If a fire extinguisher is used, it must be reported in the WhatsApp group for the area. The team leaders will report it, and we will replace that fire extinguisher — so that we always have equipment ready to fight fires.”

He emphasised that the long-term success of the program depends on the community:

“The success of this program is in your hands as a community. You will make this program a success. We’ve trained close to 3,000 people in the last five months. In other areas, it is a great success. Volunteers have contained more than 100 fires. They’ve saved hundreds of houses and lives already.

This fire extinguisher is a life-saving piece of equipment. This extinguisher standing here is going to save somebody’s life and somebody’s house. It must be kept safe and used properly.”

The message was clear: Prepared communities save lives.

An Urgent Plea: Protect the Protectors

Commander Krüger also addressed a critical issue affecting fire response efforts — the safety of City of Cape Town firefighters.

“The City of Cape Town firefighters — those men and women — risk their lives every time they respond to a fire. Sometimes they arrive late because the call came late or roads are blocked. And then people throw stones.

Ladies and gentlemen, that is unacceptable.”

He urged Neighbourhood Watch members, team leaders, and volunteers to ensure firefighters can work safely and effectively.

“You must make sure these brave men and ladies can do their work properly. The relationship between firefighters and the community must be a good one. These people are coming to save lives and houses.

Often, drunk individuals cause problems at fire scenes. As a community, you must ensure that those individuals are removed from the area so firefighters can work.”

In coordination with CoCT Fire Services, team leaders and Neighbourhood Watch members will carry identifiable name tags and reflective jackets, allowing firefighters to work alongside recognised community leaders to secure scenes and manage crowds during emergencies.

Community cooperation is not optional — it is essential.
Protecting firefighters ensures faster containment, safer operations, and fewer lives lost.

Stronger, Safer Neighbourhoods

The Satellite Fire Station initiative in Philippi East is another step toward building resilient communities — turning ordinary residents into capable first responders.

When equipment is accessible, volunteers are trained, and communities take ownership of safety, devastation can be prevented.

Prepared. Equipped. Ready to protect.
Together, we safeguard lives and homes.