Fire and Rescue International Newsletter

Invitation: Special gathering of old and young firefighters in support of Eddie McCabe – 31 October 2026

Dear colleagues, friends and supporters

You are cordially invited to a special gathering on 31 October 2026.

Eddie McCabe, a dedicated firefighter who has devoted his life to protecting others, is currently fighting cancer. It is not an easy or cheap road and we would like to stand together to support him.

The purpose of the evening is twofold:
Firstly, we want to surprise-welcome Eddie with a gathering of firefighters – to show him that his firefighting family stands behind him.

Secondly, we are holding an auction of unique firefighting memorabilia later on. If possible, bring something along that we can auction if you can. Think of items such as an old helmet, an axe, station badges and other meaningful pieces that will contribute to the fundraising.

Come and help us create a warm, supportive atmosphere, raise funds for Eddie’s treatment, and make an unforgettable evening. And if you don’t want to or can’t buy anything, that’s also okay – it’s more about Eddie being surprised with the knowledge that he does not stand alone in these dark times.

Time: 16:00
Place: UPRISE Restaurant Montana, Pretoria

Please RSVP if possible, so that we can finalise the arrangements:
Fielies: 063 505 4469
Corrie: 082 838 7283

(Please do not tell Eddie about the occasion – he will arrive thinking it’s just a dinner with his wife.)

Bring your heart, your support, bring something for the auction if you can, bring your wallet, bring a friend – every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.

Together we stand strong with and for Eddie.

With firefighter brotherhood and greetings, Corrie Botha and Edward (Fielies) Kleinhans

Uitnodiging: Spesiale samekoms en veiling ter ondersteuning van Eddie McCabe.

Beste kollegas, vriende en ondersteuners

Julle word hartlik genooi na ’n spesiale samekoms en veiling op 31 Oktober 2026.

Eddie McCabe, ’n toegewyde brandweerman wat sy lewe daaraan gewy het om ander te beskerm, veg tans teen “stadium 4 klierkanker”. Dit is nie ’n goedkoop of maklike pad nie, en ons wil graag saam staan om hom te ondersteun.

Die doel van die aand is tweeledig:
Eerstens wil ons Eddie verrassend verwelkom met ’n byeenkoms van brandweermanne – om vir hom te wys dat sy brandweerfamilie agter hom staan.
Tweedens hou ons ’n veiling van unieke brandweer-gedenkwaardighede. Bring iets saam wat ons kan opveil as jy kan. Dink aan items soos ’n ou helmet, ’n byl, stasie-kentekens en ander betekenisvolle stukke wat bydra tot die geldinsameling.

Kom help ons om ’n warm, ondersteunende atmosfeer te skep, fondse in te samel vir Eddie se behandeling, en ’n onvergeetlike aand te maak.

Datum: 31 Oktober
Tyd: 18:00
Plek: UPRISE Restaurant, Montana, Pretoria

RSVP asseblief teen 15 Oktober sodat ons die reëlings kan finaliseer:
Fielies 063 505 4469
Corrie 082 838 7283
(Moet asb nie vir Eddie se van die geleentheid nie, hy sal opdaag en dink dis n aand ete saam sy vrou)

Bring jou hart, jou ondersteuning, bring iets vir die veiling, bring jou beursie, bring n vriend – elke bydrae, groot of klein, maak ’n verskil.

Saam staan ons sterk vir Eddie.

Met brandweer-broederskap en opregte dankbaarheid, Corrie Botha and Edward (Fielies) Kleinhans.

RSVP:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexSSK3d09A5GSbbAuu6UaBO5f6UZDGwmfCgtM34xLHrenUxw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

The team will be registering a trust fund to assist with Eddie’s cancer treatment as well as future firefighter treatments needed

Quote of the week
“The man who moved a mountain was the one who began carrying away small stones.” ~ Chinese Proverb

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Lee Raath-Brownie
Managing Director
Cell: 082 371 0190

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Two senior George Municipality Fire and Disaster Management officials have returned to their posts following a successful arbitration case concerning their nine-month suspension. Chief Fire Officer and Head of Disaster Management Neels Barnard and Fire Station Commander Santa Sternsdorff resumed their duties on 5 October 2026 after being suspended towards the end of December 2025. George Municipality has confirmed their return to work but declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding their suspensions or the outcome of the proceedings.

Flames that killed four Canadian soldiers and left 19 people in critical condition began with a smouldering grass fire that quickly grew in an Alberta base’s training area where personnel were carrying out exercises, officials said on Sunday, 18 October 2026. Officials said 39 people were in hospitals as a result of the fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, which Prime Minister Mark Carney described as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada’s military on home soil. Winds up to 96 kilometres (60 miles) per hour fed the blaze which began around 16h00 MDT (2200 GMT) on Saturday. But they were below 50km per hour leading up to the fire, Major General Wade Rutland told reporters at a news conference.

On 11 September 2026, City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Service Public Information, Education and Relations (PIER) held a Child Safety Conference at Brixton Multipurpose centre. The objective of the conference was creating a dialogue on the way emergency services are proactively dealing with the prevention strategies that are related to fire injuries and deaths. This was also to remember firefighters who died in the line of duty as September 11 is the day most firefighters lost their lives at the Twin Tower building 11 years ago. In the City of Johannesburg, we were remembering the following firefighters who died in the line of duty.

K-9 Urban Search and Rescue Malta (USAR) achieved a historic result at the 2026 International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO) World Championship in Codogno, Italy, securing first place in ‘Area Search’ in the organisation’s first-ever representation of Malta at the competition. Patrizia Gamberoni and her dog, Ethan, Ramblers Blues, represented Malta against international competitors, bringing home a great result after months of training and preparation. The achievement marks an important moment for K-9 USAR Malta and highlights the dedication and teamwork required to train search and rescue dogs to locate missing people.

The City of Tshwane Emergency Services, through its Public Information and Education and Relations (PIER) programme, continues to prioritise fire safety education as part of its broader commitment to building safer, more resilient communities. As part of this ongoing public awareness initiative, a fire safety awareness campaign was conducted at Centurion Fire Station on 18 September 2026, reaching 40 learners and teachers from Babbel and Krabbel. The programme is designed to equip teachers and young learners with basic knowledge and practical skills to prevent fires, respond appropriately during emergencies and protect themselves and others.

The missions may seem worlds apart but many of the guidelines that keep aerial firefighting crews flying safely and effectively can also be applied to more traditional business aircraft operations. Aerial firefighting in the United States traces its roots to 1919, when the US Forest Service began using aircraft to detect wildfires from the air. By the mid-1950s, converted military aircraft were playing a more active role, dropping fire retardant to slow advancing flames and help smokejumpers on the ground.

The Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Fire and Rescue Services reached another milestone today when the last of its Fire Service Capacity Grant for Hazardous Materials equipment worth R1.5 million was handed over to the GRDM by the Western Cape Government (WCG) Department of Local Government (DLG) earlier today. It was also shared by Disaster Management that the construction a R7,5 million flood response base, phase one, remains on track. The grant, which is geared to help Local Government protect communities, is administered WCG DLG.

Four people were killed on 15 October 2026 as they fought to contain a wildfire in the east of Java Island at the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, a complex of active volcanoes and one of Indonesia’s best-known tourism destinations. The fire took place by a savanna and hillside in a crater visited by hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists every year. “Their dedication serves as a reminder that behind every effort to protect nature and society lies struggle, courage, and sacrifice that deserve respect,” said Berton SP Panjaitan, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s disaster management agency, the BNPB.

The Western Cape Government, through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) and its key partners, has handed over R250,000 worth of specialised Hazmat firefighting equipment to Bergrivier Municipality. The equipment includes 40 Level A responder suits, providing maximum protection against dangerous vapours and liquids, as well as a specialised trailer to strengthen operational capacity.

Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia, organiser of Intersec Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom’s leading platform for security, safety, and fire protection, has announced the postponement of the upcoming edition to October 2027. The decision follows close monitoring of recent developments in Saudi Arabia and was taken in coordination with the venue, the local government partners, and the event’s local and international stakeholders. The postponement prioritises the safety and security of exhibitors, visitors, partners, suppliers, and staff, while aiming to preserve the international scale, high-calibre attendance, and market value for which the Intersec Saudi Arabia brand is recognised.

This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: Zero talent Part 2 written by Wayne Bailey in the US (FRI Vol 4 no 2). 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.

Karikari Fire Station is a modern, fit-for-purpose two-bay facility replacing the old station and will ensure the Karikari Volunteer Fire Brigade can continue delivering essential emergency services to the Karikari community in New Zealand. Situated at 16 Matai Bay Road, Karikari Peninsula, one of the strongest justifications for the new Karikari Fire Station is the area’s exposure to vegetation fires. The peninsula contains areas of scrub that can become highly combustible during dry weather. As vegetation dries, ignition can lead to a fast-moving fire, particularly when wind, steep or difficult terrain and limited access complicate firefighting.

London ambulance crews are using underwater drones to help rescue people who disappear beneath the surface of rivers, lakes, canals and reservoirs. The London Ambulance Service has bought four remotely operated drones for its specialist Hazardous Area Response Team, known as HART. The devices carry cameras and lights, allowing paramedics to see underwater from the bank. A grab arm can attach to a casualty and pull them back towards shore.

For National Firefighter’s Day, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) honoured firefighters who show up ready for some of the most demanding work there is—physically, mentally and emotionally. They partnered with NASM Certified Personal Trainer Jaquez Jones, a full‑time firefighter paramedic and fitness coach who builds training around the real demands of the fireground, to spotlight five functional strength exercises every firefighter should know:

Instructors from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy detail the systematic protocol for examining SCBA harness assemblies, cylinders, and face pieces. This demonstration guides recruits through essential safety checks to ensure all components function correctly and are properly maintained before being placed back into service.

Source: Massachusetts Department of Fire Services

David Crocker’s photos of the original “Engine 51” used for the first two seasons of the 1970s TV show Emergency! A 1965 Crown Firecoach. In reality, this rig was Los Angeles County Fire Department Engine 60 which served the area around Universal City 1965-87, as shown by the markings on the rear. On display at the Los Angeles County Fire Museum in Bellflower, California July 2, 2026.

Source: David Crocker, Pacific Coast Fire Apparatus

In November 2017, paramedics Graeme Cooper and Danielle Kellan were transporting an elderly woman to a palliative care unit in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia. She knew her time was short. And during the journey, she made one simple request: She wanted to see the ocean one more time.

They could have continued straight to the hospital.
They could have said there was no time.
They could have treated it as something outside their job.
Instead, they changed course.
The ambulance headed toward the coast.
They stopped near the water, brought her stretcher out, and positioned her so she could look across the sea.
And for a few quiet moments, there was no hospital.
No illness.
No machines.
No rush.
Just a woman looking at the horizon she thought she would never see again.
The Queensland Ambulance Service later shared the story and said there were tears among the crew.
The patient, they said, was overwhelmed with joy.
A photograph of that stretcher facing the ocean quickly travelled around the world.
Not because it showed advanced medicine.
Not because it showed dramatic heroics.
But because it showed something just as important: dignity.

There are moments when care means more than treatment.
Sometimes it means listening.
Sometimes it means understanding that one final wish can matter as much as any procedure.
Sometimes it means giving a person five quiet minutes beside the sea.

We often think compassion has to be something huge.
But sometimes compassion is simply stopping the ambulance.
Turning toward the ocean.
And giving someone one last beautiful view.

Medicine can care for the body.
Kindness can care for the person.

And that may be why this image, taken on 24 November 2017, is still remembered years later.

Because in the end, dignity can fit into something as simple as one final look at the sea.

Source: Incredible world