MMC for Community Safety, Ald Hannes Coetzee, at the official
launch of the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department (ESD) Urban Search
and Rescue (USAR) Training Programme at Erasmuskloof Fire Station Training Academy photos supplied
By Ald Hannes Coetzee
MMC for Community Safety
The MMC for Community Safety, Ald Hannes Coetzee, has welcomed the official launch of the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department (ESD) Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Training Programme at Erasmuskloof Fire Station Training Academy.
The programme marks a significant investment in strengthening the City’s specialised emergency response capability by developing highly skilled USAR technicians equipped to respond to complex rescue incidents.
For the first time, the ESD has commenced training its own members in this dynamic
programme, which is internationally recognised as a specialised emergency response discipline.
A total of 25 firefighters has been selected to form part of the City’s USAR
team and will undergo training to qualify as USAR technicians.
The programme is presented in partnership with the City of Ekurhuleni ESD, demonstrating the value of intermunicipal partnerships in developing specialised
rescue capabilities.
To qualify as a USAR technician, members are required to successfully complete five
of the nine accredited rescue modules.
The current programme includes the following modules:
• Rope rescue
• Confined space rescue
• Trench rescue
• Structural collapse rescue
• Swift water rescue
These specialised skills will significantly enhance the City’s capacity to respond to
disasters and technically challenging rescue incidents, ensuring faster, safer and more effective emergency responses for the residents of Tshwane.
I have had the privilege of witnessing the exceptional work performed by USAR
technicians during major emergencies.
Their expertise saves lives under some of the most challenging conditions.
It is therefore a proud moment to see the City of Tshwane developing this specialised capability from within.
Training our own firefighters locally not only reduces costs but also strengthens our
operational readiness and ensures that we continue to provide world-class emergency
services to the communities we serve.
This investment in our people is ultimately an investment in the safety and resilience of our city.
The Chief of Emergency Services, Moshema Mosia, highlighted the importance of investing in the City’s own training capability.
“The ESD has now started training its
own members in this specialised and dynamic programme.
This demonstrates the City’s capabilities and the capacity we have built at the Training Academy to offer specialised courses and successfully implement a programme of this magnitude.”
Chief Mosia further encouraged the trainees to embrace every learning opportunity.
“Knowledge is power.
A good firefighter is always willing to learn, but a bad firefighter knows it all.”
Hosting the programme at Erasmuskloof Fire Station Training Academy will also result
in substantial cost savings for the City.
By delivering the training in-house, the City of Tshwane will save more than R250 000 while simultaneously building sustainable internal capacity to deliver specialised rescue training in future.
The Chairperson of the Section 79 Oversight Committee for Community Safety, Cllr Neo Mocumi-Letlhaku, commended the ESD for its innovation and visionary leadership.
“This programme demonstrates the City’s commitment to innovation and reflects strong leadership with a clear mandate to capacitate employees, strengthen service delivery and build a resilient ESD.”
The City of Tshwane remains committed to investing in its people, strengthening
operational readiness and ensuring that its ESD continues to deliver world-class
emergency response services to all communities.
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