Hero South African Firefighters Who Saved Baby’s Life, Give Even More

A group of Capetonian firefighters who saved the life of a little baby in South Africa two weeks ago, enjoyed a tearful reunion with the baby and her grateful mom last week.

The firefighters, based at Belhar fire station, made national news on 1 June with their lifesaving heroics… when they were called on to resuscitate two-week old Bronlyn-Lee Jansen.

Last week they followed up with a heart-warming act of kindness, handing over gifts of clothes and other baby products.

Bronlyn-Lee’s mother had rushed her to the fire station at the beginning of the month, desperate to get help for her daughter who had stopped breathing and had started turning blue.

Firefighters jumped into action, clearing mucus from her airways and administering oxygen, and after several tense minutes, Bronlyn-Lee started crying and regaining her natural colour.

“Usually, we don’t have good results on babies. We try our utmost and give our utmost support and expertise to the patient, and this time we were lucky to revive this baby. So there’s a good ending to this story,” said firefighter Alroy Pieterse.

Pieterse’s colleague, Liesl George initiated the follow-up visit.

“I just had to see her, alive and kicking, because when they left the station, we never heard from them again, and I just had to see her.

“And I went to their house, and then the mom came out and she was all pink and dressed up and she looked so cute,” said George.

On Friday 14 June 2019, mom Chantel and her now four-week-old baby visited the Belhar fire station to thank the staff for their heroics.

But she was in for a pleasant surprise, as firefighter George had also rallied her colleagues and contacts to collect an assortment of baby clothes and products to hand over to their young patient.

“These selfless acts where staff members go above and beyond the call of duty fill me with immense pride, because it embodies the spirit of safety and security, which is to serve and protect our residents.

“I applaud the actions of the staff members, not only in saving the life of little Bronlyn-Lee, but also the added joy they’ve brought to her and her family through their kind-heartedness,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.