Midvaal Local Municipality is proud to announce the fire department’s achievements during the annual Toughest Firefighter Alive Competition which took place in Mossel Bay last week.
The competition, which took place over a period of 3 days, had a record number of 237 entrants. The Midvaal team’s remarkable performance secured them the top position in the competition for the age group 40+. This marks the third firefighter competition won by Midvaal’s Fire Team this year. The first was during the Fit to Fight Fire Competition that took place in May, followed by their victory during the annual Dräger Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge in August. The event witnessed fierce competition from various fire departments across the country in rainy weather. Firefighters are required to take part in the challenges (attached hereto) wearing full protective gear which includes a Fire Approved Fire Helmet, Fire Tunic, Fire boots and Firefighting gloves as well as carrying an SCBA (cylinder full of compressed air) on their back.
Midvaal team demonstrated their unwavering dedication, extraordinary skills, and unparalleled teamwork throughout the challenge. The team also brought home several medals for individual categories. A congratulatory breakfast was held on 11 October 2023 with the Executive Mayor, Ald. Peter Teixeira and the Mayoral Committee, the Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Zakhele Mhlongo, the Executive Director for Public Safety and Roads, Mr Eugene Lensley as well as the Chief Fire Officer, Mr Hannes Steyn were in attendance. The Executive Mayor expressed his pride in the firefighters who continually keep our name high and also shared the many congratulatory messages from the community on social media platforms, expressing the community’s pride in our firefighters.
The Midvaal Fire Department remains committed to serving the community with the highest standards of professionalism and efficiency. Their continued success in competitions like this highlights their dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of Midvaal's residents. Toughest Firefighter Alive results for the Midvaal teams:
Teams – Age group 40+
Midvaal Team 1 - 1st place
Teams Open (28 Teams)
Midvaal Team 3 – 4th place
Midvaal Team 2 – 7th place
Midvaal Team 1 – 13th place
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Individuals - Age categories
Tertius Engelbrecht 1st (overall 8th)
Phiwayinkosi Zwane 2nd
Morné Mommsen 4th
Nico Gouws 5th
Glen Bellingan 5th
Thomas Mudzuli 8th
Johannes Moreba 10th
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF THE MMC FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ROADS
Cllr. Gerrit Viljoen
Front: MMC for Public Safety and Roads, Cllr G Viljoen, Executive Director for Public Safety and Roads, Mr E Lensley, The Executive Mayor, Ald P Teixeira, Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Z Mhlongo, Pastor J Combrinck
Middle: Chief Fire Officer, Mr H Steyn, TFA Participant, Mr E Pienaar, MMC for Financial Services, Ald P Hutcheson, MMC for Corporate Services, Cllr C Gomes, TFA Participant, Mr P Zwane, TFA Participant, Mr K Luvhimbe, TFA Participant, Mr G Bellinghan
Back: MMC for Engineering, Cllr R Hubbard, TFA Participant, Mr T Engelbrecht, TFA Participant, Mr M Mommsen, TFA Participant, Mr T Mudzuli, TFA Participant, Mr T Mokgatle, TFA Participant, Mr N Gouws, TFA Participant, Mr J Moreba