Atlantic Fire Services (AFS) continues to expand its fire awareness and extinguisher training programme to schools across Cape Town, with its most recent engagement taking place in Browns Farm, Philippi.

AFS met with principals, teachers, and school officials from four local schools: Masivuke Primary School, Siyazakha Primary School, Entshona Primary School, and Sinethemba Secondary School. The session focused on fire safety, fire awareness, and the practical use of fire extinguishers, equipping educators with the knowledge required to respond effectively in the event of a fire.

Building Preparedness in Schools

The training emphasised the importance of understanding when and how to use a fire extinguisher, as well as ensuring that equipment is properly maintained and readily accessible. Fire extinguishers are among the most basic firefighting tools and are legally required to be available in schools. However, experience has shown that many institutions either store extinguishers incorrectly, fail to service them, or do not ensure that staff know how to operate them.

During school visits across Cape Town, AFS has encountered cases where extinguishers were locked away in storerooms, inaccessible during emergencies. In some instances, extinguishers were found empty due to a lack of routine servicing. These challenges highlight the importance of assigning responsibility for equipment checks and ensuring compliance with safety standards.

Modern fires spread rapidly, particularly due to the presence of synthetic materials such as plastics in homes, offices, and classrooms. A fire can escalate significantly within three minutes. Immediate access to functioning firefighting equipment, combined with proper training, is critical in containing small fires before they become uncontrollable.

Programme Growth and Community Impact

Atlantic Fire Services was established one year ago to combat fires in high-risk areas, particularly township communities and informal settlements. The initiative began as a pilot project to assess the feasibility of issuing fire extinguishers directly to communities. Formal training efforts gained momentum in September, and over the past five months, the programme has expanded significantly.

To date, AFS has trained close to 3,000 individuals across Cape Town. The organisation is active in 10 township areas and has worked within approximately 250 informal settlements. In the last five months alone, more than 4,000 homes have been destroyed by fires in various communities, reinforcing the need for preventative education and accessible firefighting equipment.

In addition to community-based training, AFS supports schools in ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations, assisting with extinguisher placement, servicing awareness, and hands-on instruction for staff.

Local Response

Mr Mshiya, a teacher attending the session, expressed appreciation for the training:

“I would like to thank Paul and his team for this training today, where they came to train the schools in Philippi about how to use a fire extinguisher to stop a fire. This training is very important for the community of Philippi, and for us so that we as teachers can also convey that same message to the learners and to the wider community.”

Continuing the Work

As fires continue to increase in frequency across Cape Town due to population growth and density, Atlantic Fire Services remains focused on proactive education, early response, and strengthening local capacity. By equipping teachers, community members, and households with practical knowledge and functional equipment, AFS aims to reduce fire-related losses and improve safety outcomes across vulnerable areas.

For more information about Atlantic Fire Services and its community programmes, follow our updates as we continue expanding fire awareness and response training across Cape Town.