Atlantic Fire & Rescue hosted a powerful and practical Fire Safety, Awareness and Fire Extinguisher Training Day in the Taiwan area of Khayelitsha, bringing together the ward councillor, community leaders and 60 committed community volunteers.

The training focused on equipping residents with the skills and tools needed to respond immediately when fires break out — closing the critical gap between ignition and the arrival of City of Cape Town Fire Services.

To strengthen local response capacity, 20 x 9kg DCP fire extinguishers and 8 first aid kits were issued to trained team leaders, ensuring lifesaving equipment is available where it is needed most.

The Ward Councillor praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of community preparedness:

“I would like to thank Commander Paul Krüger for his initiative to make up that crucial golden hour from when the fire starts until the CoCT fire trucks arrive. It is important for the people, the residents of the community, to have a means to protect themselves, contain these fires and stop them from spreading.”

AFR Commander Paul Krüger addressed the community, emphasizing the urgency of the work:

“It is a very traumatic thing that is happening — these houses are burning down in informal settlements. As the councillor said, we are training 60 volunteers today. We are donating 20 fire extinguishers, as well as first aid kits, to the community. We will be back in two or three weeks to do the second phase of the program to get more fire extinguishers and more volunteers into the community.”

This training marks another step in AFR’s mission to empower communities, reduce fire losses, and protect lives and property through education, equipment and ongoing support.

Together, we build safer communities. Together, we protect lives and homes.