Fire and Rescue International Newsletter

Honouring our firefighters on International Firefighters’ Day: Monday, 4 May 2026

Today firefighters across the world will be commemorating International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) in memory of those who have fallen.

IFFD is observed each year on 4 May, the day of Saint Florian, patron saint of firefighters and is a time where the world’s community can recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible.

It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions.

IFFD was instituted after a proposal was emailed out across the world on 4 January 1999 due to the deaths of five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a bushfire in Australia. On 2 December 1998, a tragic event shook the Linton Community, Australia and the world. Firefighters in Linton, Australia, a populated region in Victoria, were fighting a large bush fire and called for mutual aid. This urgent mutual aid call brought the Geelong West Fire Brigade to the scene not knowing the despair and tragedy that was in store. Garry Vredeveldt, Chris Evans, Stuart Davidson, Jason Thomas and Matthew Armstrong all loaded into company’s truck. They were part of a strike team and were being sent to help extinguish the flames. As the five headed into the hot zone, the wind suddenly switched direction, engulfing the truck in flames and killing all five members.

This unfortunate incident is what inspired JJ Edmondson to bring about an international holiday, called International Firefighters Day, to support the lives lost and dedicated firefighters who risk their lives every day to save life and property.

One of the most significant symbols of International Fire Fighters Day is the red and blue ribbon. This ribbon is cut precisely five centimetres long and one centimetre wide, with the two separate colours conjoined at the top. JJ Edmondson chose red and blue because the red stood for the element of fire whereas the blue would represent the element of water.

The colours red and blue are also recognised worldwide to signify emergency services. The ribbon is traditionally worn on the lapel but is not limited to that certain position. Some people may also put it on their cars’ visors, hats, hang them in windows or on car mirrors or even hang them from trees in their front lawn. The red and blue ribbon is a simple but yet effective way to show your support on International Firefighters Day.

Please share your IFFD commemoration photos and videos for inclusion in the weekly newsletter. We’d love photos to represent ALL firefighters including municipal, urban, rural, wildfire, volunteer, career, industrial, petro-chemical, marine, defence force, aviation etc. Email me at lee@fireandrescue.co or WhatsApp 082 371 0190.

Fire and Rescue International salutes all fire fighters’ for their passion, commitment and dedication to save lives and property. We kneel down in memory of those who have fallen. Thank you for your service! MUCH RESPECT!

Quote of the week
“The role of a firefighter in today’s society, be it urban, rural, natural environment, volunteer, career, industrial, defence force, aviation, motor sport or other is one of dedication, commitment and sacrifice , no matter what country we reside and work in. In the fire service we fight together against one common enemy, fire, no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear or what language we speak.” ~ Lt JJ Edmondson, 1999

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Lee Raath-Brownie
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Deputy Minister Dr Namane Dickson Masemola delivered the keynote address at the International Firefighters’ Day 2026 National Commemoration in Rustenburg, North West. Addressing government leaders, fire services, and stakeholders, the Deputy Minister emphasised that fire services are central to public safety, economic resilience, and national development.

In commemoration of International Firefighters’ Day Across the world, on May 4, we stand united by a profound sense of remembrance and respect.

International Firefighters’ Day is more than a date.
It is a shared global moment — a moment to pause.

To remember and honour the lives of those who have passed.
To commemorate the courage and commitment of those who serve today.
To educate and inspire those who will serve in the future.

This day provides us with space to reflect on courage, on service freely given without expectation, and on lives lost while protecting others.

A life lived in service of others is never forgotten.

The legacy of those we honour does not fade with time. It lives on in the values they embodied and in the communities they protected.

Wherever May 4 finds you today, we thank you.

Source: www.firefightersday.org

#InternationalFirefightersDay
#IFFDMay4
#HonourThePast
#ThankThePresent
#InspireTheFuture

On 4 May 2026, the world commemorates International Firefighters Day. In Cape Town, those wearing the uniform respond to thousands of incidents each year and the demands on the service keep growing. In the past year (1 May – 29 April), the Fire and Rescue Service responded to 30 302 incidents. It was an increase of 454 incidents compared to the same period the year before.

Poem: International Firefighters’ Day

A wisp of smoke that seems random, an innocuous hint of flames-
A mishap requiring cooperation or raging bush fires that need to be tamed.
Emergency circumstances, natural disasters that strike-
Their endeavours increasing at every step, oblivious as danger spikes.
The familiar clanging of the bell, the red engine that looms
As the firefighters emerge as angels, amidst the carnage and the gloom.
Lugging heavy equipment, battling immense heat-
Smoke blurring their vision, trudging with unsteady feet.
Every rescue for them important, every piece of debris turned-
Impervious to every bruise that bleeds, to every spark that burns.
Faces that appear blackened by soot, sweat oozing through pores-
Yet voices echoing with determination as rescue efforts soar.
Every call that comes in heeded, every touch that spouts comfort-
Be it an animal stranded in a tree or fragile limbs are hurt.
The water pipes, their greatest ally; the ladders that touch the sky-
Well-coordinated are their movements as together, they death defy.
Neither are they deterred by peril, nor to rewards they lay claim-
No excuses to wait in the sidelines or turn of tide to blame.
Their incredible courage at all times, dedication unwavering through pain-
They might melt away into the darkness yet their legacy remains.
Their selfless service, a beacon of hope; in angst or joy, a part-
And so a rousing salute to these heroes with gratitude from every heart.

Source: Suvarna Mehta

Marshall Plaatjies was welcomed today, 4 May 2026 – fittingly on International Firefighters’ Day – into his new role as Station Officer at Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services. SO Plaatjies has 29 years of service in the fire service in Mossel Bay.

I walk a line, a thin red line that few will ever understand.
It’s a thin line filled with blood, sweat, heartache, pain and lots of tears.
It can be rewarding, and it can also be sadly tragic.
I walk a line where brothers and sisters stand side-by-side, arms reached over each other’s shoulders confidently assured that it’s our meaningful bond that holds this line.
That thin line can be damaged, bent, scratched, taken for granted and even forgotten about.
But that line, that thin red line is always there and will always and forever prevail.
Although it can sometimes be burnt, it will never be tore down or completely destroyed… neither by man nor nature.
It’s a thin red line that burns deep within the hearts of young and old firefighters and at some point has affected everyone’s life.
Not many will ever truly understand this line.
Few have ever walked it. Most never will.
So until you have walked a mile on that line, please empathize and don’t criticize.
We walk on a line, a thin line… a thin red line.

By Captain S Pelphrey, Salyersville Fire Department, KY

Source: Fire Fighter lovers

This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: Rescue roundup: Extrication: staying up to date written by Neville van Rensburg and Julius Fleischman, World Rescue Organisation (WRO) assessors and member (FRI Vol 3 no 12). We will be sharing more technical/research/tactical articles from Fire and Rescue International magazine on a weekly basis with our readers to assist in technology transfer. This will hopefully create an increased awareness, providing you with hands-on advice and guidance. All our magazines are available free of charge in PDF format on our website and online at ISSUU. We also provide all technical articles as a free download in our article archive on our website.

In the German municipality of Straubenhardt, near the Black Forest region, a distinctive and contemporary fire station houses six formerly independent firefighting units in one strategic location. Completed in 2022, this state-of-the-art facility consolidated six previously independent local firefighting units into one central, strategic location. Designed by Stuttgart-based architectural studio wulf architekten, the new station embraces circular construction and sustainable planning in line with the “Cradle to Cradle” cycle principle. The fire station is one of the first Cradle to Cradle public buildings in Germany.

NSR has grown from civil defence ropes and ladders to modern equipment to support all SAR functions. The need for the safety of volunteers while carrying out operations is paramount, requiring that all equipment be certified and subject to appropriate training by SAR members.

Source: North Shore Rescue

Train like a firefighter at home with just one kettlebell — a full-body, 30-minute workout you can do at home or on the job using minimal equipment while building real-world strength, endurance and resilience.

Source: Mitch Gourley

Purchase points for vehicle extrication.

Source: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Training Division

“A History of Firefighting” was originally posted by The History Guy on September 11, 2019. This version of the episode contains a new introduction. The History Guy recalls the forgotten history of the profession of firefighting. This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

Source: The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered