The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson, will lead the Working on Fire (WoF) female crew leader graduation ceremony to be held on Saturday, 27 September 2014 at the WoF Training Academy in Nelspruit.
At least 32 women veld and forest fire fighters, with 2 of them being parolees, are beneficiaries of the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Working on Fire Programme, were nominated for crew leader training through a rigorous selection process. These beneficiaries have undergone an intensive “All Female Crew Leader” training course which will help them deal with psychological and emotional challenges of being crew leaders. In addition, the beneficiaries were trained to become motivated fire fighters who are able to operate safely and efficiently in dangerous and unpredictable work environments.
As part of a process to reintegrate ex-offenders into society, the Department of Correctional Services has tasked the WoF Programme to play its part to rehabilitate offenders – recruiting them into the WoF Programme. Through WoF, female parolees are being trained and graduate to fire fighters. Currently there are 17 parolees in the WoF Programme.
Members of the media are invited to join the Deputy Minister during the graduation ceremony as per the details below:
Date: 27 September 2014
Time: 9h00
Venue: Working on Fire Training Academy, Highlands Farm, Uitkyk, Nelspruit
To RSVP, contact:
Ernest Mulibana
Tel: 021 405 9439
Cell: 082 263 7372
E-mail: EMulibana@environment.gov.za
For media queries, contact:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
