The local fire and rescue has facilitated over 50 fire and disaster awareness programmes for the year, as part of an effort to promote fire safety.
This was according to Moenadia van der Merwe, an admin clerk at Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue.
The 54th Fire and Disaster Awareness event was hosted on 5 September, said Gavin Tarentaal, a platoon commander at Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue.
“The aim is to do a minimum of 12 programmes a month,” according to Tarentaal.
About 25 more programmes were planned for the year, said Van der Merwe. Individuals of any age or organisation can request to participate in an awareness programme, said Van der Merwe.
Members from Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue attend career days and give motivational and safety talks, said Gavin Tarentaal, a platoon commander at Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue. They recently hosted a Fire and Disaster Awareness workshop to teach children from a local daycare about fire safety, said Tarentaal. PHOTO: Hannah Theron
‘Fire prevention is imperative’
The 5 September programme was attended by 11 children between the age of four and five from Leviena’s Daycare, said Leviena Okkers, the owner of the daycare.
The aim of the programme was to teach the children what to do when a fire occurs, said Okkers.
Adults will receive a more comprehensive course that includes training on how to use a fire extinguisher, said Tarentaal.
“Fire prevention is imperative. That’s why we focus a lot on fire safety,” said Tarentaal.
Children from Leviena’s Daycare in Jamestown recently attended the 54th Fire and Disaster Awareness workshop hosted by Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue this year to learn about fire safety. This was according to Leviena Okkers, the owner of the daycare. PHOTO: Hannah Theron
Safety skills and awareness
The children received instructions about important safety measures, including learning the fire department’s emergency number, how to respond if their clothing catches fire and how to stay low and evacuate areas with heavy smoke during a fire, stated Tarentaal.
Additionally, the children were educated about the dangers associated with playing with matches and lighters, and how to prevent burns, he said.
“I found it very helpful. The kids enjoyed the programme and they learned quite a lot,” said Okkers. “I think it’s very important for young kids to know what to expect and [what to] do in situations like that.”
Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue aims to host a minimum of 12 Fire and Disaster Awareness programmes a month to educate people about fire safety, said Gavin Tarentaal, a platoon commander at Stellenbosch Fire and Rescue. GRAPHIC: Hannah Theron