“It was a complete shock to the system. The smell of dust hanging in the air, the faint cries for help and the intensity of the operations was initially all very overwhelming.”
These are the hard-hitting words of Jermaine Carelse, who further shared that nothing could truly prepare for what the team deployed to the scene where a multiple-storey building collapsed in George, would have to face. Investigations have reportedly been launched following the tragic incident at the construction site in Victoria Street, which resulted in over 30 fatalities and the recovery of numerous victims who remained trapped under the debris.
The Sir Lowry’s Pass resident was one of two firefighters from the basin who were among altogether 10 City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services’ technicians who heeded the call to assist with rescue and recovery operations at the site from Monday 6 to Friday 10 May.
The rescue technicians were aided by two technical rescue fire trucks laden with specialised search and rescue equipment used particularly for structure collapse incidents and tasked with the mission to assist in finding victims pinned underneath the numerous layers of building rubble while being of service to emergency personnel on-scene. They worked tirelessly, around the clock, aiding rescue efforts at the building site before returning home after a 90-hour rescue mission.
Painting the picture
“Everyone was aware of the building collapse, but it was hard to be prepared for what we encountered when we arrived at the site after midnight [on Monday],” recalled Carelse.
“Loads of emergency personnel were working in different divisions of the collapse, coordinating resources to have as many rescuers searching simultaneously for trapped victims. Emergency lighting was set up in order to work day and night.”
Asked to paint a picture of what was the situation was on arrival, Carelse said:
Apart from having a great amount of specialised equipment at their disposal to save lives and make a difference in an intense rescue scenario, a highlight for Carelse was sharing in the success of the Worcester team who used acoustics to locate the victims under metres of rubble. “The one trapped patient was successfully freed after a 13-hour rescue operation that involved two separate entry points,” he said. “The one was used to give him water via a PVC pipe, as well as safety goggles and sweets. The most humbling experience was every time a victim was freed and taken to the ambulance, everyone would stand up and engage in a round of applause – this really was a moment that will be etched in my mind forever.”
Another Helderberg fireman, Michael Gardiner who is stationed at Strand Fire Station, said the team tapped into the wealth of their collective knowledge, skills and experience in the field to execute a thought-out plan of action and get the “job” done.
‘Single most tragic event’
“It was great to work at an emergency site where you knew you could lean on a complete, but competent stranger who has your back. Furthermore, the George community was incredibly supportive.”
Carelse echoed the sentiment.
he said.
“All that you can is trust the skills you have and that the next person will do the same. This experience once again magnifies the amount of expertise in South Africa and when there is a disaster you can rely on these individuals to form a formidable team.”
Carelse added that it is always an honour to represent not only the City, but also his native community. “It just shows we all can make a difference no matter where we come from or where we live.”
A significant highlight for Gardiner was having to amputate a trapped victim’s arm, while awake, to free him from a void and safe his life – a first for the rescuer who has dedicated 29 years of service to the calling.
he related.
“I dug toward him, but he was stuck. With guidance from an on-site doctor I had to amputate his partially severed left arm with a scissors and extricate the victim. The emergency procedure was a success and the victim is recovering in hospital.
“Having to amputate his limb to save his life while he was alive will forever be with me.”
According to Gardiner the rescue and recovery mission has afforded him renewed gratitude for life, who he is and what he does, “as everything can change in an instant”.
As a proud representative of the City and honoured technician called on to assist with rescue efforts, he implored the local community to trust the emergency personnel and rescuers who passionately risk their lives for the safety of others.
