Midvaal Local Municipality is proud to announce that Mr. Morne Mommsen, Divisional Officer for Training at Midvaal Fire and Rescue Services, has been appointed to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Emergency Response Team (ERT). He is one of only two South Africans selected to serve on this specialised regional unit, following a nomination by the municipality and formal endorsement by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC).

Mr. Mommsen will serve in the Search and Rescue Section of the ERT, bringing over 34 years of service in Emergency Services. His career includes multiple international deployments as a Search and Rescue specialist, authoring South Africa’s first Canine Search and Rescue Manual, serving as a subject matter expert for the QCTO Curriculum Development Platform, and presenting research at national and international conferences. He has extensive qualifications in disaster risk management, technical rescue, firefighting, emergency medical response, and K9 search operations, and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in environmental science with a focus on Disaster Risk.

He will attend the SADC ERT Induction Training in Nyanga Province, Zimbabwe, from 25 August to 5 September 2025. Upon completion, he will be formally inducted and available for deployment to assist any SADC member state in times of disaster.

Cllr Chantal Gomes, MMC for Public Safety, congratulated Mr. Mommsen, stating that his appointment is a significant achievement for both him and Midvaal. His selection is a direct result of decades of dedicated service, technical expertise, and leadership in life-saving operations. We are extremely proud of him and confident that he will represent Midvaal and South Africa with distinction.

We congratulate Mr. Mommsen on this outstanding accomplishment and wish him success in his training and future deployments.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER

For media enquiries, please contact:

Hettie Fowlds

Communications Officer

016 360 7627

HesterF@Midvaal.gov.za

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Tertius Engelbrecht, Station Officer at Midvaal Local Municipality’s Fire Department, is set to represent South Africa on the global stage at the 15th World Firefighter Games in Aalborg, Denmark. The World Firefighter Games are often considered the “Olympic Games” for firefighters. Tertius, who has been a dedicated member of the Midvaal Fire and Rescue for over 20 years, was selected as one of 11 firefighters to compete against 3000 firefighters from around the world in this event, taking place from 7th to 14th September 2024.

Tertius has consistently showcased his skills and leadership in various firefighting competitions throughout his career, in addition to being one of the main organisers of the annual Fit to Fight Fire competition and expo. His achievements include setting world records, leading his team to numerous victories, and earning the respect and admiration of his peers.

Some of his notable accolades include:

World Record: Fire Truck Pull (2015, SAESI)

Best Technical Team: SAESI 2017 Vehicle Extrication Challenge (3rd place overall)

DRAGER SA Toughest Firefighters Challenge: 1st Place Team Event (2023) and 2nd Place Individual Event (2024)

Toughest Firefighter Alive South Africa: 1st Place Over 40 Team Category (2023)

Executive Mayor’s Merit Award: 2022/2023

Midvaal Fit to Fight Fire: 1st Place Team Event (2024)

Midvaal Fit to Fight Fire: 1st Place Over 40 Category (2024)

DRAGER SA Toughest Firefighters Challenge: 1st Place Team Event (2024)

DRAGER SA Toughest Firefighters Challenge: 2nd Place Individual Event (2024)

During the Toughest Firefighter Alive Competition in Mossel Bay in 2023, Tertius took first place in his age category. This was after the 2022 event where he was placed third in his age category. These achievements earned him his well-deserved spot in the South African team for the 15th World Firefighter Games.

In addition to his competitive achievements, Tertius continues to demonstrate unwavering commitment to his community and colleagues. He has been instrumental in leading the Midvaal Team to numerous victories. In 2013, Tertius was part of the team that won the prestigious Centrum Guardian Project for working at the bus accident that claimed 19 lives in 2012.

As he prepares to take on this international challenge, Tertius expresses his gratitude to those who have made this journey possible:

Midvaal Local Municipality, the Executive Mayor, Ald. Peter Teixeira and Municipal Manager, Mr. Anton Groenewald

Century Electrical

ETS Emergency Training Solutions

Dr. R. Barclay (Langebaan)

Industrial Fire and Hazard Control

Hamilton Hydraulics Services (LUKAS Hydraulics)

DE Steyn

H Fowlds

“I am honoured to represent my Municipality and South Africa as a whole. The support from my colleagues, my devoted wife, and my two children has been incredible, and I am determined to make them proud on the world stage,” says Tertius.

As Tertius takes on the world, he carries with him the hopes and pride of the entire Midvaal community. He is set to leave with the rest of the South African team on Thursday, 5 September 2024.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MIDVAAL LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

For media enquiries, please contact:

Hettie Fowlds

Communications Officer

HesterF@midvaal.gov.za or 016 360 7627

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The Midvaal Local Municipality is proud to announce the achievements of our fire department at the annual Dräger Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge held on 25 July 2024. Our fire department has once again demonstrated its exceptional prowess by securing the top spot for the fourth consecutive year.

The event witnessed fierce competition from various fire and emergency teams across the country. The four Midvaal teams demonstrated their unwavering dedication, extraordinary skills, and unparalleled teamwork throughout the challenge.

The Dräger Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge featured a series of intense challenges, including an Overall Toughest Firefighter Challenge, a Cross Fit Challenge, as well as a specialised rescue simulation using the Confined Spaces Truck. These challenges are designed to assess firefighters’ abilities to combat real-life emergency scenarios. Midvaal Team 1 brought home the trophy as the overall winner, while the Mixed team (male and female) secured a second place in their category.

The team also brought home several medals for individual categories.

Dräger Fire Combat and Rescue Challenge results for Midvaal:

Teams Overall

Midvaal Team 1 – 1st

Midvaal Mixed Team – 2nd

Team Challenges

Cross Fit Challenge

Midvaal Team 2 – 2nd

Toughest Firefighter Alive Challenge

Midvaal Team 1 – 1st

Confined Spaces Rescue Challenge

Midvaal Team 1 – 1st

Individuals

Per Age category- Overall Placement

Nico Gouws 1st

Shadrack Mudzuli 2nd

Thabang Mokgatle 3rd

Tertius Engelbrecht 2nd

Morné Mommsen 2nd

Individual Challenges

Toughest Firefighter Alive Challenge

Tertius Engelbrecht 2nd

Cross Fit Challenge

Nico Gouws 3rd

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MIDVAAL LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

For media enquiries, please contact:

H Fowlds

Communications Officer

HesterF@midvaal.gov.za or 016 360 7627

Download Media Statement.

Midvaal Local Municipality is proud to announce its second annual Fit to Fight Fire Competition and Expo set to take place on 25 May 2024, at the Meyerton Sports Club. Following the resounding success of last year’s event, this year’s competition promises even more thrills, as Fire and Rescue teams compete to become the fittest firefighting team in South Africa.

The competition, open to Fire and Rescue teams from across the country, will witness participants engaging in rigorous challenges that test their skills, agility, and teamwork. The competition consists of five challenging stages that will highlight the dedication and readiness of the firefighters who stand at the forefront of safeguarding communities:

Stage 1 – Hammer Drill (Sponsored by Industrial Fire and Hazard Control)

Stage 2 – Mannikin Drag (Sponsored by Survival Technology)

Stage 3 – Tower Run (Sponsored by Industrial Fire and Hazard Control)

Stage 4 – Tyre Flip

Stage 5 – Ladder Run (Sponsored by Industrial Fire and Hazard Control)

Furthermore, teams can enter an EMS patient simulation competition, hosted by EpicEM and North-West University as well as a Confined Space Rescue Simulation hosted by Dräger.

In addition to the competitions, the Fit to Fight Fire Expo will feature a myriad of industry exhibitions and demonstrations. Attendees can also witness displays of rescue equipment such as the jaws of life, K9 units in action, CPR demonstrations, fire extinguishing techniques, and expert snake handling.

The Fit to Fight Fire Expo offers something for everyone. Attendees can marvel at some of the country’s finest emergency vehicles and fire engines on display, engage in interactive activities for kids, enjoy performances by local artists, and much more.

This event is not just a competition; it’s a celebration of the unwavering commitment of our firefighting and emergency response teams. Midvaal Local Municipality extends a warm invitation to fire and rescue teams nationwide to join us for this experience.

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MIDVAAL LOCAL MUNICIPALITY TO HOST THE SECOND ANNUAL FIT TO FIGHT FIRE COMPETITION AND EXPO

MIDVAAL LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

GENERAL ENQUIRIES – 087 106 2471

EMERGENCY LINE – 016 360 7500

complaints@midvaal.gov.za

MEDIA STATEMENT

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