Extraordinary Super Heroes

Being a member of the Volunteer Wildfire Services carries serious responsibilities and an attitude of caring.

Our volunteers are just that – volunteers. They are extraordinary people who give of their time and energy to protect lives, property and our natural heritage. Most have day jobs, some are students, others run their own companies – but all are dedicated, motivated and highly-trained to ensure that our ultimate goal of wildfire suppression is taken care of.

We have over 150 volunteer members from all walks of life. Being a member of the VWS is like having a (giant) extended family of people who care.

What our Volunteers have to say …

Here are some comments from a small bunch of our extraordinary super heroes …

Mark Randall

Position at VWS: Crew Leader
Station: Newlands
Day Job: Landscaper
Why I love the VWS …
I regard the VWS as a family. We look after each other and cover each others back at the fires we fight. It’s all about camaraderie! The VWS gives me a sense of achievement. The feeling of helping others and protecting nature is unexplainable; one has to be there to feel and enjoy it! That smile you see on a lost little child’s face when you find that child’s parents, or when you reassure a child who has been in an accident that they will be just fine and you are there for them. That tear that runs down your cheek when that child is safe in an ambulance and they wave goodbye to you with a smile on their face. It is that step of trying to just do that little something for someone to make the world a better place. Thank you VWS for being there for ME, and allowing me to do that special ‘something’ for others!

Federico Zanolin

Position at VWS: Fire fighter
Station: Newlands
Day Job: Professional Volunteer
Why I love the VWS …
For me, the VWS is a way of life. I can phrase it like this: “It’s not something you do, it’s something you are.” It’s not something most people can or ever will understand, but really that says it all.  If our mountain and people are not worth fighting for and saving then there is almost nothing on this planet that is worthwhile doing for me. Also the VWS is not about the ‘glory’. There is no glory at three in the morning on the side of a mountain in a cold wet uniform. To me this is more than a job – it’s a way of living and a way of thinking and is absolutely awesome fun!

Craig Barker

Position at VWS: Fire fighter
Station: Newlands
Day Job: Business Owner and Web Developer
Why I love the VWS …
Being a member of the fire fighting teams that are responsible for combating wildfires is a great opportunity to give back to the world. One aspect that never ceases to amaze me is how big a difference just a few people can actually make. If everyone helped one another or contributed in some way to social or environmental benefit to all,  the world would be a much more harmonious place. The dedication and motivation of all the members of the VWS is very inspiring and humbling at the same time.

Paul Morris

Position at VWS: Rations Officer TMNP/VWS
Station: Newlands
Day Job: Credit Controller
Why I love the VWS …
I  joined the VWS in 1999 after seeing an advertisement in the local newspaper. I feel honoured to be one of the few existing founder members, and am busy fulfilling one of my life long dreams – to make a difference in the community.

Edward Hoorn

Position at VWS: Fire fighter
Station: Jonkershoek
Day Job: Assistant at Animal Welfare
Why I love the VWS …
My greatest experience at the VWS is the wonderful people I’ve met. They drive me to be more enthusiastic in delivering a service against wildfires in Jonkershoek and other surrounding areas. On a more serious note, I’ve got a whole new outlook on fires, especially in Fynbos areas. Now that I’m a firefighter I’ve realised that a great way of preventing fires is by being more careful and spreading the news of the danger of fire which are not good for our environment.  With my experience at Jonkershoek, I realised it’s best to prevent fires rather than trying to put them out, especially when a south eastern wind is behind the fire!  Being a fire fighter seems to be the best way I can thank mother nature for my daily use of clean oxygen.  Thanks VWS!

Julie-Ann Henry

Position at VWS: Fire fighter
Station: Jonkershoek
Day Job: Property Agent
Why I love the VWS …
VWS is amazing! I love being part of such a dynamic, diverse team whose commitment and enthusiasm are as unwavering as the flames of the wildfires themselves. VWS has given me the opportunity to immensely broaden my mind and experiences. I do it because I love it! I care, I want to be a part of a solution to something far greater than myself, and because I know I can trust them with my life.

Carel Kriel

Position at VWS: Fire fighter
Station: Jonkershoek
Day Job: Project Manager
Why I love the VWS …
Since I attended that first recruiting meeting at Jonkershoek, the VWS has changed my life. I no longer have the luxury of sleeping late on a weekend, I now spend hours after scenario’s picking dirt from under my nails and I no longer own a pair of white socks but I also no longer feel like I don’t know what to do in a potentially dangerous situation. The VWS teaches a simple principle; LEFT for LIFE and RIGHT for REACH, but spending time with the type of people that involve themselves so deeply in a cause for no payment or praise, that I sometimes feel that left and right is where you find genuine people, the type that have your back, friends. Through the VWS I could someday give something back to nature by saving even a small part from destruction, just like the many VWS volunteers before me have done for years.