Selflessly aiding the community and the ability to make a difference is what fuels Helderberg firefighters’ fiery passion for the calling. And while these unsung heroes’ tireless efforts during life-threatening emergencies often go unrecognised it very well solidifies the camaraderie among the dedicated firemen whose diehard determination to serve can never be doused.
This is what the lifesaving efforts of platoons at Strand Fire Station are testament to after successfully resuscitating a woman who was brought into the station in George Street following a near-fatal event.
On-duty crew jumped into rescue action shortly before a shift change when the 50-year-old Strand resident was rushed to the fire station in an unresponsive state after collapsing at home on Saturday 25 November.
According to Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services, the female patient was brought in unconscious before 09:00. “The crew of 3 Platoon initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and then 1 Platoon, who came on duty at 09:00, defibrillated the patient four times to get a pulse,” said Carelse. “Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved whilst performing CPR. Then the paramedic administered one ampule of adrenaline and she was subsequently loaded in the ambulance and transported to [a nearby hospital].”
Asked who the firefighters were and what respective role each played that contributed to saving the woman’s life, Carelse responded: “We cannot single out any one person as this was a combined effort all of the firefighters involved. From assessing the patient, getting the equipment ready and managing the scene.”
He reiterated that it should be noted that there were a number of firefighters that assisted with this successful resuscitation and all those staff should be commended for their contribution.
Carelse added that the successful rescue efforts are “always a rewarding aspect of our profession.”
With many locals turning to the nearest fire station as first port of call when facing an emergency situation he said that help will be offered by staff who are always willing to assist as trained medical personnel, given that they are not out attending to life-threatening incidents in the community.
An acquaintance of the patient, who happens to be a relative of the two-year-old boy who drowned at a Sir Lowry’s Pass Estate on the same morning (“Peuter sterf waterdood,” DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 29 November), reached out to the firefighters, expressing the family’s immense gratitude for the invaluable service.
The patient’s son, Winston Williams, also expressed their gratitude and shared that his mother who has been battling heart problems, remains in hospital where she is recuperating.
