Atlantic Fire & Rescue – Hangberg Training Day

High above the mountain slopes of Hout Bay, in the heart of the Hangberg community, Atlantic Fire & Rescue (AFR)hosted a powerful and practical Fire Awareness and Safety Training Day.

In an area known as “the Sloot” — a high-risk, hard-to-access informal settlement — six new community team leaderscompleted training in fire awareness, fire safety, and the practical use of fire extinguishers. These local heroes will now form and lead fire response teams dedicated to protecting their neighbourhood from the devastating impact of runaway fires.

To equip them for action, AFR donated six fire extinguishers and six first aid kits to the newly trained team leaders. This hands-on support ensures that residents can respond quickly and effectively while waiting for professional fire services — a critical advantage in areas where access is difficult.

“We are here in Hangberg with six new volunteers in the high-risk area known as the Sloot. They’ve completed fire extinguisher, awareness, and safety training,” said AFR Commander Paul Krüger.
“This is a very inaccessible area, far from the main roads, so empowering locals to respond immediately is essential.”

Alongside the community training, the AFR team also conducted advanced drills with their Landcruiser fire truck and CAFS (Compressed Air Foam System) unit, enhancing readiness and ensuring a faster, stronger, and more efficient fire response.

Community leader Tamryn, one of the new team members, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity:

“I would like to thank the fire team for the opportunity they gave us today to participate in the training. I hope many more of our volunteers will join next year to make this training a success. Thank you.”

Through initiatives like this, Atlantic Fire & Rescue continues to build fire-ready communities across Cape Town — empowering residents with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to protect their homes and loved ones.

Together, we’re creating a safer future. Together, we protect communities.

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