Firefighters from across the province came together at the Roeland Street Fire Station where they are getting ready for the annual “Toughest Firefighter Alive” event happening on 20 and 21 September.
The reigning female champion is Baigum Abrahams from Strandfontein, who will be defending her title this year.
This week, temperatures rose as the group of hotties trained on a course sure to make Superman moeg.
The nationwide competition is a two-day battle of the fittest and is now in its sixth year, with about 100 firemen and women entering this year.
The 4-stage competition includes an individual challenge as well as team category.
Firefighters are scored on their fitness, endurance and skill sets and have to complete a number of challenges in full firefighting gear, which includes a 13kg oxygen tank strapped to their backs.
The competitors will do a hose drag, obstacle course, tower ascent and an 800 metre race.
DRILL: Firefighters in action. Picture: Jack Lestrade
Station commander at Milnerton Fire Station, Mark Smith, who organises the event, says he is excited to see the talent to be displayed.
“We host this competition to keep up with international standards, boost the staff morale and to build relations with the people we work for: the community,” he says.
The Daily Voice was there when firefighters Baigum, Shafiq Khan (Durbanville), Robin Barnes (Milnerton), Lucan Wentzel (Epping), and Theodore Goliath (Salt River) went through their paces, with Khan, 28, dragging a hose, and Barnes, 35, and Wentzel, 30, each “saving” a 90kg dummy victim in the quickest time possible.
EX-CHAMP: Baigum Abrahams. Picture: Jack Lestrade
Baigum, 24, says she’s excited for this year’s competition: “Training has been strenuous and I don’t know what to expect this year, but I hope to improve on my time.”
Last year the mom of one was on the job for only 13 days seven of which were spent training when she reigned supreme in one of the toughest competitions for firefighters.
Her male counterpart, Emile Conrad from the Eden District Municipality, has won three years in a row.
The competition takes place at the Roeland Street Fire Station in Cape Town and the public is welcome.