DRM volunteers showcase first aid and firefighting skills
29 October 2025
The City of Cape Town’s corps of Disaster Risk Management volunteers showcased their skills at the annual competition at the Epping Fire Station this past weekend.
Just more than a hundred volunteers made up the 26 teams vying for top honours in this year’s Disaster Risk Management Annual First Aid and Firefighting Competition – 12 participating in the firefighting competition and 14 in the first aid competition.
The first aid scenario required teams to respond to a shooting incident with three victims. Not only did they have to treat the casualties, but they also had to secure the scene to preserve evidence.
While teams practice beforehand, the scenarios are unknown until competition day.
The second part of the competition was a four-person hose and fire drill.
‘The competition gives volunteers an opportunity to showcase the depth of their training and their experience. It’s also a chance to evaluate the training provided, while the teams interact in a slightly more social setting.
‘Volunteers are crucial in disaster risk management as they provide immediate support during emergencies, strengthen community preparedness for when calamity strikes and assist with creating awareness. They extend our reach in times of crisis,' said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith.
The winning team captain in the first aid competition was Max Oosthuizen (Fish Hoek).
First Aid winning teams:
1st place – Ottery unit (Team4)
• Captain – Jane Mejola
• Shaiyene Fritz
• Thaabiet Jacobs
• Jeremy Bergsma
2nd place – Melkbos Unit
• Captain - Stefan Jooste
• Jacqueline Botha
• Kathleen Dennis
• Dirk Jan Viergewer
3rd place – Ottery Unit (team 2)
• Captain – Leon Samuels
• Jean Pierre Orgill
• Baheejah Brenner
• Conrad Samuels
The winning firefighting teams:
1st place - Mitchells Plain Unit
• Hayden Martin
• Fakir Steyn
• Wahaajudeen Isaacs
• Deacon Jumat
2nd place - Ottery Unit
• Jason Philander
• Matthew Lottriet
• Chadwin Freeks
• Simamkele Mnqayi
3rd place - Fish Hoek
• Jean Loius Verster
• G Daniels
• Sven Borgstrom
• Stephen Barnard
The DRM volunteer corps has grown over time to nearly 600 members.
‘The role of DRM and the volunteers that support them is immeasurable. They are the champions who help to foster participation and increase awareness about disaster preparedness on the ground and within their communities. A vote of thanks goes to Fire & Rescue for making their facilities and equipment available,’ added Alderman Smith.
Caption 1: The competitors hit the target before a water off signal is given.
Caption 2: The winning first aid team from Ottery are from left Jeremy Bergsma, team captain Jane Mejola, Shaiyene Fritz and Thaabiet Jacobs.
Caption 3: The winning firefighting team from Mitchells Plain are Hayden Martin, Fakir Steyn, Wahaajudeen Isaacs and Deacon Jumat.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
