Message from Minister Dion George (Dr): Working on Fire Canada assignment

26 July 2024

Let me extend my deepest admiration and support to each one of you as you embark on your journey to Alberta, Canada, to assist with fighting the summer wildfires ravaging that province. Your dedication and courage in answering the call to assist in fighting devastating wildfires are truly commendable. The mission is not just about extinguishing flames. It is about protecting lives, safeguarding homes, and preserving vast natural landscapes.

The province of Alberta, where you are being deployed, is seeing record fires and has already reached 940 wildfires this year, even resulting in some communities being evacuated. This will surpass its five-year wildfire record of 945 fires by far.

We are extremely honoured that Canada has once again made a call to us for assistance and that you have heeded this call. This will be the sixth assignment by a Working on Fire team to Canada since 2015. In 2023, we made history with the largest assignment of international firefighters to Canada when 860 firefighters and management descended on Alberta to fight the pernicious flames.

I am happy to hear that thirty percent of the selected firefighters in this assignment are women. This includes members of the management team and highlights Working on Fire's commitment to diversity and inclusion. 
The extensive experience and training of these firefighters undertaken at the Kishugu Training Academy in Mbombela will significantly enhance efforts to effectively suppress and manage the wildfires in Alberta.

I am mindful that wildland firefighting is not easy and that it requires skills, physical fitness, and, importantly, awareness about your surroundings while having a high regard for your health and safety. I am also told that on all of our previous assignments to Canada, we have had no debilitating injuries and that the Canadian fire authorities have been impressed with our physical fitness, our work ethic, and our morale, both on and off the fire line.

It is my belief that you will continue to be safe and vigilant on the fire line and that you will continue to impress those in Canada with your work ethic and spirit. We wish to reassure all our partners and stakeholders that this assignment will not have any impact on our South African firefighting operations. We will still have just over 5 000 firefighters available at more than 200 bases throughout the country.

For many of you, this will be a life-changing experience, and it all forms part of our objectives in developing our youth and creating opportunities for you to learn and experience new territories beyond our borders.

I am incredibly proud of our firefighters. Your expertise and experience are invaluable, and I have full confidence that your assignment will be a success. Your efforts not only bring hope to those affected but also showcase the remarkable skills and dedication of South African firefighters on the global stage. 
You carry with you the pride of our nation, and I have no doubt that you will make a lasting impression with your skills and unwavering spirit.

To your families and loved ones, I extend my gratitude for their support and sacrifice. They, too, are heroes in their own right.

We stand behind you as a nation and wish you a safe and impactful mission. Canada and the world will be forever grateful for your bravery and selflessness.

I thank you