The Bravery of Two Firefighters: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
- Karen Scheepers
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Potchefstroom Fire Protection Association had embarked on a major 800-hectare block burn project, a meticulously planned two-week operation aimed at clearing old grass and preparing fire breaks.
The Unexpected Turn
On October 7, 2025, what began as a routine day of burning and fire break preparation took a sudden, dangerous turn. As the day progressed, unexpected high winds whipped up, causing a section of the prepared fire break to reignite. The fire rapidly gathered strength and began moving quickly toward the farm's boundary.
The Incident Commander (IC) and several firefighters responded promptly, arriving on the scene. Their swift, coordinated action managed to extinguish the flare-up quickly, minimising the immediate threat to the surrounding area.
An Invisible Danger
Following standard operating procedures, all response vehicles were instructed to operate strictly within the already burnt sections of land. However, the density of the dormant grass in these areas was significant, generating intense, unseen heat.
This extreme heat caused a catastrophic failure: the fuel line beneath the IC's response vehicle melted, allowing diesel to drip onto the scorched ground. In a matter of moments, the dripping fuel ignited, and flames began to engulf the underside of the vehicle. The IC was completely unaware of the raging fire growing directly beneath him.
The Heroic Intervention
It took the alertness and quick thinking of two firefighters to spot the danger. They immediately began spraying water underneath the vehicle to suppress the flames, alerting the IC to the immediate threat. By this time, the fire had already begun to damage the vehicle's exterior.
Without hesitation, these two firefighters acted decisively. They opened the vehicle door and, pulling the IC to safety through the flames, rescued their colleague. All the while, they continued to spray water, ensuring the fire was fully extinguished and preventing further destruction.
Thanks to their decisive and courageous actions, the vehicle sustained only minor damage, and, most importantly, the Incident Commander's life was saved.
Watch the Facebook video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19tDYVdxAD/
The 2025 Bravery Award
The professionalism, quick thinking, and willingness of these two firefighters to risk their own safety to protect a colleague and property are truly commendable. This heroic act perfectly exemplifies a dedication that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
The Trauma First Responders Chaplaincy recognised this brave and courageous act, and proudly awarded them with the 2025 Bravery Award.
🔥👨🚒🏅🚨
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