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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Toughest Firefighter Alive (TFA) South Africa competition started yesterday, Thursday 5 October.
Mossel Bay is hosting the competition for three years in a row, 2022 to 2024.
PHOTO GALLERY: Toughest Firefighter Alive
Last year, the event drew a record number of entries from all over the country and this year more than 250 firefighters are competing at De Bakke until 7 October.
The competition has been extended by an extra day. The junior firefighter challenge, for children aged three to 12 years old, takes place tomorrow, 7 October from 10:00.
Registration can be done at De Bakke from 09:30.
The event is part of the Mossel Bay Sports and Recreation Festival, organised by Mossel Bay Municipality.
The competition is aimed at improving service delivery through fitter, stronger firefighters, enhancing community relations, motivating firefighters and restoring local and national pride in the fire service.
Mossel Bay is entering two male teams and for the first time ever, a women's team. There are also five individual firefighters competing.
A word of support from the head of municipal Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services, Joseph Johnston: "It is said 'a good firefighter knows how, an educated firefighter knows why'.
"In the fire service, knowledge, skill and experience contribute to great successes when dealing with emergency incidents.
"Firefighter safety is one of the most important aspects to be considered during emergency scene operations and it is the responsibility of every individual, including the incident commander, to ensure it is implemented before response to emergency incidents has commenced.
"Continuous training at fire station level ensures firefighters are geared to face any challenge during the call of duty.
"Don't train until you get it right, train until you can't get it wrong. Repetition and training scenarios safeguard against major loss of life, property and the environment.
"Professionalism calls for a high standard of knowledge, skill and fitness."
These four women at Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services are competing in the Toughest Firefighter Alive (TFA) competition.
Anoesjké Pozyn
- Aged 34.
- Married for 14 years.
- Administrative employee at Mossel Bay Municipality for 10 years.
Why are you doing this?
When I heard about this challenge, I thought it sounded amazing. I want to prove to my team and myself that I can do this - for them and for me.
What are you bringing to the team? What is your unique strength?
I am fiercely competitive.
What is the hardest part of training?
Getting up every day at 04:00 to go to the gym, pushing through when I don't always have the strength and never stopping, no matter what.
What have you learnt about life, yourself and fitness during your training?
I've learnt I am capable of so much more than I ever give myself credit for. I am my own worst critic, so proving to myself that I am capable of this level of fitness and strength training was life changing.
What are you expecting on competition day?
I am excited to see our group of ladies take the victory.
How do you feel about making history as the first female team to represent Mossel Bay at TFA?
I am humbled and honoured to be part of this team and with God on our side, we are more than conquerors.
Raymondi Solomons
- Intern (control room operator) at Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services.
Why are you doing this?
To challenge myself.
Your unique strength?
My ability to work well with everyone and my sense of humour.
What is the hardest part of training?
Not giving up. All the TFA stages are really tough, so you need to have endurance and a strong mindset to get through them.
What have you learnt during your training?
That if I put my mind to something I can do it. I learnt that if I push myself, I can do many things I never thought I'd be able to.
What are you expecting on competition day?
I expect my team to finish our stages and to have a lot of fun.
How do you feel about being in the first women's team to represent Mossel Bay at TFA?
There's a bit of pressure, but it's also exciting, knowing that I'm part of making history.
Siphokazi Yabo
- Cadet firefighter at Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services.
- Lives in Asla Park.
- Mother of two.
Why are you doing this?
I want to challenge myself and also make my team win. I know I can do anything if I put my mind to it.
What are you bringing to the team?
My positive energy, my strong body and mind. My strengths include lifting weights, working out and working hard.
What is the hardest part of training?
I would say there is no hardest part for me. It's all in the mind. You just need to be strong and put your mind to it.
What have you learnt, preparing for the contest?
A lot: that I'm very strong and that fitness is important, not in terms of the competition, but for your health as well as your job as a firefighter. You need to be strong and fit.
What are you expecting?
Of course, I expect a win by the ladies. But I want us to enjoy it, support each other and ultimately do our best.
How do you feel about being in the first women's team to represent Mossel Bay at TFA?
Very blessed. I want to make my team and the fire station proud.
Nadia Jacobus- Julies
- 12 years in service as a firefighter at Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster
- Management Services.
Why are you doing this?
To be seen as a role model and an inspiration to girls and women in the community.
What is your strength?
I enjoy the ability to compete with other ladies and give it our best.
What is the hardest part of training?
Training is always tough. For women, it is sometimes tougher than for men, because women are built differently.
What have you learnt from training?
To push through everything, work hard and become better at your craft.
What are you expecting on competition day?
I am looking forward to being among all the contenders, to experiencing the camaraderie, the fun, the greatness and the support among all firefighters.
Your thoughts on local women contending for the TFA title for the first time?
Females are still a minority group in the service, that is why this is such an honour – to make history for Mossel Bay. We are so excited to represent Mossel Bay.
Rules for firefighters' competition
For the public who will be attending the Toughest Firefighters Alive competition at the De Bakke parking area from 5 to 7 October, this will give an idea of the rules the competitors must adhere to:
A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) will be used off air with the cylinders closed, minus face masks, for the circuit. The competition will consist of four stages, with each stage being timed separately for each competitor.
The total time will consist of the combined times of all four stages, with the lowest combined times being the winner.
Competition gear is a fire-approved fire helmet, fire tunic, fire boots and firefighting gloves. SCBA to be supplied by the organisers.
Stage 1: Hose advance and make-up
Dress: Fire helmet, fire tunic, fire boots, firefighting gloves and SCBA set donned, off air. The contestant starts by proceeding to pick up the nozzle end of two lines consisting of 3x 30m x 65mm uncharged lengths each and extend the two lines over a distance of 75-80m to a designated area and place both branches over the demarcated line. The contestant then proceeds to run 10-20 m to make up 2x 25m lengths of hose. The two length hoses will then be made up, each in a single roll and placed fully in the box provided with no portion of the hose hanging out. 10 second penalty will be incurred per hose not placed fully in box.
Stage 2: Obstacle course
Dress: Fire helmet, fire tunic, fire boots and firefighting gloves, SCBA set donned, off air. Run 10m from start line to hammer at the Keiser Force machine, pick up hammer and hit the block (+/- 72,5kg) horizontally over a distance of 1,5m to the finish mark. Put down hammer in demarcated area. Run towards the start of dummy (+/- 80kg) and drag the dummy backwards for 70m turning at 30/40m to and around the marker cone, returning and dragging the dummy back over its original position. Run 20m and pick up 2x 20kg containers and run 10m with the containers to a 10-20m tunnel and go through it, then run around marker cone 10m away and come back through tunnel and return container to its original position 10m away. The breathing apparatus backpack and cylinder is to be removed and placed on a platform. The contestant will then run to the three-metre high wall and climb over the top, using the rope provided, if needed. Once on top of the wall, the contestant will drop from the top of wall onto the crash mat. The time will be stopped after jumping from the wall into the mat.
Stage 3: High rise pack carry and hose hoist
Dress: Fire helmet, fire tunic, fire boots and firefighting gloves, harness and SCBA set donned, off air. Run 10m and carry a ladder to a designated area and pitch it, repeating this with the second ladder. Run to the marker/cone pick up the 1x 20kg
foam container and climb the tower, using the stairs until you reach the top. The contestant is allowed to ascend by two or more steps at a time. Place the foam containers in the designed area. Attached sling to the harness and using the rope, haul up the two hoses (20-25kg) over the top railing of the tower and place them on to the landing in the designated area. Pick up and carry the foam containers downwards, descending one step at a time down, to the ground floor and place down the containers in the designed area. Run 10m to the ground monitor and attach the nozzle. Run 10m and cross the finish line.
Station 4: The final station will comprise of a beach run approximately 600m in the vicinity of De Bakke.
Team relay
There will be a team relay event, time permitting, and each team will be made up of four members. Team may be made up of firefighters from different departments. A female team may not consist of any male member, but a 'male' team may include female members. A male team of three male members consisting of one female member will be considered a male team. The four stages of the relay event will correspond with the individual stages.
Individuals and corporates are encouraged to support this event aimed at enhancing service delivery through fitter, stronger fire fighters, build community relations, motivate fire fighters and restore local and national pride in the fire services.
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