The Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture (WOF-Kishugu JV) firefighters have returned safely on South African soil after being deployed to Canada to assist in firefighter efforts.

More than 200 firefighters have been deployed to Alberta, Canada. This urgent request for assistance came from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2019 between Canada and South Africa.

The MoU facilitates the exchange of wildland fire management resources between the two countries.

The group arrived at the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport at 1.30pm on Tuesday.

The Mzanzi1 Hotshots received a warm welcome.

Some of the team members at the homecoming ceremony. Photo: Supplied

After touching down, the team was escorted to the Kishugu Training Academy where a formal homecoming ceremony was hosted to mark the successful completion of their mission. The team was praised for their exceptional fitness, discipline, and commitment.

This marks the sixth deployment of South African firefighters to Canada since 2015.

Attending the ceremony, Canadian High Commissioner to South Africa, Christopher Cooter extended his appreciation to the firefighters.

Firefighters on the ground in Canada. Photo: Supplied

“Your courage and dedication have made a profound impact on our country. Canada is deeply grateful for the unwavering support that South Africa has provided over the years,” Cooter said.

“The Mzanzi1 Hotshots have once again demonstrated the strength of our bilateral partnership and the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges.”

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Berenice Swarts also lauded the team for their remarkable achievements.

“The success of this mission is a testament to the skill, resilience, and professionalism of our firefighters. Your efforts have not only saved lives and property in Canada but have also elevated South Africa’s reputation on the global stage,” Swarts said.

More than 200 Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture(WOF-Kishugu JV) return from a wildfire mission to Canada and were honoured in a ceremony for their dedication and bravery. Picture: Supplied.

The ceremony was not just to celebrate the success of the mission but also an opportunity to reflect on the deep bonds forged between South Africa and Canada through years of collaboration, WOF-Kishugu JV said.

“Notably, since the deployment began, there have been no injuries on duty - an achievement made possible by the team’s rigorous discipline and their high level of physical and mental fitness,” it said.

“Their ability to maintain peak performance under the most challenging conditions, coupled with strict adherence to safety protocols, ensured that every firefighter returned home safely,” WOF-Kishugu JV said.

“This accomplishment highlights the dedication and professionalism of the Mzanzi1 Hotshots, who not only made a significant impact abroad but also set a standard of excellence for international firefighting efforts.”

A warm welcome home to our firefighters. Picture: Supplied.

WOF-Kishugu JV further stated the success of this deployment highlights the critical role of partnership and collaboration in combating environmental disasters, in the face of climate change.

This deployment also demonstrated confidence in the capabilities of South African firefighters who are always ready to tackle even the most formidable challenges on the global stage.

The Assistant Deputy Minister of Forestry and Parks in Alberta Province in Canada, Daniel Lux praised the Mzanzi1 Hotshots for their hard work.

“A heartfelt thank you to all the firefighters and support staff from South Africa who assisted us in our time of need this summer, you arrived during the most challenging time, took the hard work, and lent a helping hand to contain fires without losing any homes,” Lux said.

Senior Manager of Wildfire Response in the Government of Alberta and Alberta Wildfire, Brian Lopushinksky thanked the firefighters for their assistance during the Canadian 2024 wildfire season.

“We had some struggles this year with the 2024 wildfire season, your assistance was greatly appreciated. We have a long-standing relationship with multiple deployments from South Africa, and you returned the favour again,” he said.

Emily Smith, Wildfire Information Officer in Canada thanked the firefighters for their sacrifice and thanked their families for sparing them to assist.

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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