South African firefighters return from Canada
South African fire fighting team Working on Fire has returned to the country after a month of squaring off with blazing wildfires in Alberta Canada. The fire fighters who are part of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment funded EPWP programme have five season of Canadian wildfire experience. The team Mzansi Hotshot One landed at […]
South African fire fighting team Working on Fire has returned to the country after a month of squaring off with blazing wildfires in Alberta Canada.
The fire fighters who are part of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment funded EPWP programme have five season of Canadian wildfire experience. The team Mzansi Hotshot One landed at the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport last night.
ALSO READ: Canadian wildfires blow smoke toward Norway
Our dedicated crew leaders in training standing strong and prepared at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport last night to honour the incredible bravery and selflessness of our firefighting heroes.#WorkingOnFire #2023WoFCanadianDeployment #MZANZIHotshots #savinglives pic.twitter.com/Env1i3qipE
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) July 10, 2023
CANADA PRAISES SA FIREFIGHTERS
ALSO READ: Delays in SA’s legal system keep courts in waiting
Canadian High Commissioner to South Africa Christopher Cooter has praised the firefighters for their resilience and dedication and thanked the team for their efforts in Canada.
“I can understand why Canada loves you. Canada needs you. We need your courage, your resilience, your growing experience with Canada”, says Cooter.
“When I look at you I see the best of South Africa. You represent the future of South Africa.”
#2023WoFCanadianDeployment#MZANZIHotshots suppressing the underground fires on the fireline, where they are digging and dousing the hotspots.#savinglives#ProtectingTheEnvironment@environmentza @CIFFC @AlbertaWildfire @epwpza pic.twitter.com/6vo6scxTpn
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) July 4, 2023
FIVE SEASONS UNDER THE BELT FIGHTING WILDFIRES IN CANADA
ALSO READ: Climate change and the risk of extreme wildfires around Cape Town
Stuart Mangold, Senior Policy Adviser Africa and Bilateral Relations from the Environmental Department praised the teams for their efforts and revealed that reports from the Alberta Wildfire Incident Commanders praise the team for their morale, work ethic and describing them as hard and eager workers on the fire-line.
“The successful deployment of the Mzanzi 1 Hotshots in Canada reinforces the critical role played by the Working on Fire Programme in South Africa and its contribution to international firefighting efforts”, says Mangold.
“Your commitment to the mission, your firefighting skills, & your positive spirits earned you widespread recognition and gratitude from both Canadian authorities, local communities & indeed the international community”.
ALSO READ: Wildfire: Spain battles first major wildfire of 2023
#2023WoFCanadianDeployment#MZANZI1 Hotshots Foxtrot team in action led by their Strike Team Division Leader Phumlani Nqayi#savinglives#ProtectingTheEnvironment@environmentza@epwpza@CIFFC@AlbertaWildfire@kishugu pic.twitter.com/k5XBYCfD9n
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) June 10, 2023