The City of Cape Town is pleased to report that its Fire and Rescue Service vehicle extrication team was placed18th in the 2016 World Rescue Challenge. Competitors from around the world participated. This five-day event took place in Parana, Brazil and it is the first time that a team from Cape Town has taken part in the competition.

Competitors were given three accident scenarios with time limits of 10, 20 and 30 minutes respectively in which they had to remove a patient from a crashed vehicle without causing further harm to the patient or endangering their own lives. The scenarios tested the firefighters’ technique, knowledge, and use of their equipment.

The City’s team of seven was made up of staff from several of Cape Town’s fire stations, with representatives from the Hout Bay fire station, Roeland Street fire station, Strand fire station and Milnerton fire station making the trip.

​​​​"Given the level of competition and taking into account that this was the first time a team from Cape Town has competed at this level, we believe that they have done the City proud."​ Alderman JP SmithCity Mayoral Committee Member: Safety and Security

‘The competition has done much for the transfer of skills across borders and the universal goal of saving as many lives as possible. This transfer will ensure that Cape Town’s firefighters are better able to respond to emergencies. It has also prepared us for a solid showing when South Africa hosts the competition in 2018. Other competitors: be warned,’ said Alderman Smith.