NCC hotshots heading to US to assist with fires burning across the western states
NCC hotshots heading to US to assist with fires burning across the western states
17 August 2018
Published by http://www.fireandrescue.co/
SOUTH AFRICA/USA – NCC HotShots will be heading to the USA to assist with the numerous fires burning across the western states. NCC Environmental Services is the only specialist wildfire company in South Africa to be requested to provide these very unique services in the USA. This is the second year that our crews have been asked to assist and on Tuesday evening, 21 August 2018, a full crew will depart for Montana. They will undergo induction, fire shelter training and then they will be assigned to a wildfire. The crew comprises of some of the most experienced wildland fire fighters in the country and have been involved in combating thousands of fires over the last 25 years. They have built up their experiences whilst working for NCC and for some that where trained through the Working on Fire program.
As they are contracted to Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Association, SANParks – Table Mountain National Park, South African National Parks, Western Cape Government, CapeNature , Cape Winelands District Municipality, Stellenbosch Municipality, Overberg District Municipality and numerous other landowners, these specialist wildland fire fighters have accumulated vast amounts of knowledge and expertise working on fires for these clients. Now, it’s time to help their fellow wildfire brothers in the USA, some of whom have helped them develop to the level they have.
For many though, this will be the first time they leave South Africa and in some cases their first non-fire related flight. The transit is about 35 hours and the experience is hopefully, not just a once in a life time!
If you are interested in following the team, keep an eye on their Facebook page and follow them on @nccwildfires.
Source: NCC Environmental Services
