GRDM opens state-of-the-art fire station

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - A week ago, on 2 February, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) marked a significant achievement with the opening of its very first fire station in the Tamsui Industrial area of George.

The state-of-the-art facility, strategically located at the end of Pearl Street, is the result of collaboration between GRDM, George Municipality and the Western Cape Government.

The regional fire station, the largest in the district, was made possible through the donation of a 5 877m² property by George Municipality and the waiver of service fees. The Western Cape Government also contributed R3m to bridge the funding gap.

GRDM Fire Chief Deon Stoffels highlighted that the construction costs totalled R11,8m, with additional consulting engineering services amounting to over R1,3m.

Positioned at the heart of the Garden Route district, the station extends its protective coverage to the Hessequa, Bitou and Knysna municipalities, all high-risk fire areas.

With 24-hour operations and convenient access to the N2, the station ensures swift response to emergencies, particularly in coastal regions with invasive alien plant species and challenging terrain.

GRDM had never owned its own fire station since its establishment in 1987 and it was a challenging journey to reach this milestone.

The opening not only marked the physical structure's completion but also a homecoming for the firefighters, who had been in temporary locations for over 14 years.

Among the attendees were the Western Cape Provincial Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell, mayors, municipal managers, chief fire officers, Khubeka Construction CC representatives, representatives of the consulting engineer Kantey and Templer (Pty) Ltd, and stakeholders involved in integrated fire management across the district.

Also present were representatives of the Western Cape Department of Local Government (WCDLG) Disaster Management and Fire and Rescue Services Directorate, GRDM officials as well as the 50 firefighters from the GRDM.

The event also paid tribute to key contributors, including a former fire chief, the late Freddy Thaver, and Clive Africa.

GRDM Municipal Manager Monde Stratu outlined the project's background, emphasising the collaborative efforts that led to its realisation.

PHOTO GALLERY: GRDM opens state-of-the-art fire station

George Deputy Mayor Raybin Figland expressed pride in contributing to the facility, emphasising its collective importance for all municipalities in the Garden Route district.

In his keynote address, Bredell urged community ownership of the facility, emphasising the importance of protecting it from vandalism.

He commended the GRDM fire service team and emphasised the need for continued collaboration in the face of climate change challenges.

GRDM Deputy Mayor Gert van Niekerk delivered the closing remarks and thanked stakeholders. Special appreciation was extended to sponsors who donated items to the GRDM Fire and Rescue Services, including Outeniqua Palms, Grow Green Organics, Fabric World, Curtains Up, Wild Farm Backpackers Wilderness, and Savannah Helicopters.

In the foreground are some of the firefighters from the GRDM and Working on Fire who attended the grand opening.