The Star E-dition

Firefighters return after Canadian mission

SONRI NAIDOO

COURAGEOUS firefighters returned home yesterday at the OR Tambo International Airport after a successful deployment to Manitoba, Canada, where the South African firefighters assisted authorities in wildland firefighting efforts.

A total number of 109 firefighters from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s Working on Fire (WoF) programme were deployed on August 20 to fight active fires in Manitoba from Loon Straits in the Eastern Sector and the Cold Lake complex in the Western Sector, where multiple fires were burning.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy extended her appreciation to the WoF team who were returning home from a successful fire-fighting mission in Manitoba, Canada.

She said the feedback from the Canadian authorities has indicated the success of the team and applauded them for their bravery.

“This was by far one of the most successful international deployments and indeed a huge vote of confidence in the South African government’s Expanded Public Works Programme, WoF. These young men and women represented our country with pride and dignity, their work ethic, professionalism, and fitness levels were highly regarded in Canada. It was a wonderful experience to see how they managed to work seamlessly alongside fire-fighting authorities from Manitoba Wildfire Services,” said Creecy.

WoF international agency and resources representative Trevor Abrahams spoke of the experience in the fire line and thanked officials in the country for having faith in the team.

“We stand here proud and relieved that we have been able to do what we came here to do. We worked together, endured and we did it calmly.

“This was the first time for us in the province of Manitoba and the province conducting an operation of this magnitude and we are grateful for the faith shown in us

“We were able to connect with the people of Manitoba and have good relations across the board, which made this a wonderful experience,” said Abrahams.

SA High Commissioner Sibongiseni Dlamini-Mntambo highlighted that South Africa’s flag flies high as the country has been made proud by the team and hoped that because of their efforts the growing relations between the two countries would deepen.

METRO

en-za

2021-09-17T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-17T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thestar.pressreader.com/article/281539409089411

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