Launch of Volunteer Community Firefighting Program

Philippi’s Browns Farm community marked a major step toward strengthening grassroots fire readiness on 26 November 2025, as Atlantic Fire & Rescue formally introduced its Volunteer Community Firefighting Program. The launch brought together local leadership, disaster management officials and residents united by one goal: protecting lives, homes and neighbourhoods before tragedy strikes.

The session was attended by City of Cape Town Disaster Management Officials, the Ward Councillor, community leaders, and 60 community volunteers who have stepped forward to serve on the frontline of local fire response. To ensure these volunteers can act immediately during an emergency, 40 fire extinguishers were issued to leaders representing various high-risk sections of Ward 34.

Speaking at the launch, Commander Paul Krüger of Atlantic Fire & Rescue explained the purpose and urgency behind the initiative: “My name is Paul Kruger. I’m the Commander of Atlantic Fire and Rescue. We’re an NGO, a non-profit organisation not affiliated with the government, and we are here today to introduce our Fire Fighting Training Program.

We are here in Browns Farms in Philippi, Cape Town, with disaster management officials from the City of Cape Town, the councillor, officials, community leaders and 60 community members, where we just introduced our volunteer community firefighting program.”

Krüger outlined why basic firefighting knowledge is essential in high-risk, fast-spreading fire environments: “A fire extinguisher is the most basic firefighting equipment every house must have. We have a lot of fires, especially in the summertime, with the wind. Yesterday, after training, we went to two different fires here in Philippi. The one with the six houses — at least we managed to contain the fire. If you contain a fire, it means you are stopping it from spreading. That is the important thing: to contain the fire so it doesn’t jump to other houses.”

He emphasised that extinguishers are not just tools but lifesaving emergency equipment: “You must remember this is lifesaving. This fire extinguisher can save someone’s life here. It can save someone’s life in the house.”

Krüger shared a powerful example from the previous day’s incidents: “After we finished containing the first fire, a second fire broke out, which we rushed to. Luckily, one of the ladies who did the training that morning fetched her fire extinguisher and helped us contain the second fire. Because she had trained that morning, she was able to help. We will be donating fire extinguishers, support and training.”

He also provided critical safety guidance, including what to do when entering a smoke-filled building: “Let’s say I’m going to save some children out of a building. I’m going to fall to the ground because the air above is full of smoke. When you are on the ground, you can breathe more easily and safely, and there is less smoke. Smoke is so toxic that if you breathe it in, within about two seconds, you can pass out. Please remember that.”

The Ward Councillor closed the session by acknowledging the significance of the program “We are very grateful to Atlantic Fire Services for coming on board and assisting our communities in helping with their safety over this festive season. Thank you very much.”

The launch of the Volunteer Community Firefighting Program marks a renewed commitment to building capacity, strengthening response, and empowering communities to protect themselves. Through training, equipment and collaboration, Philippi Browns Farm Ward 34 now stands better prepared to prevent small flames from becoming devastating fires.