First female assistant chief appointed at Overstrand Fire and Rescue

25 October 2019

USA – Overstrand Municipality Fire and Rescue, Disaster Management and Security Services has appointed a new assistant chief in the area of disaster management. Yulanda Scholtz, a veteran fire fighter of 24 years, took over the position on 1 August 2019. Previously, Scholtz was a station commander with Breede Valley Fire Brigade and Rescue Service in Worcester. Scholtz says her interest in becoming a fire fighter started when she was in grade 11, when Nelson Mandela University had a career exhibition in 1993. “I was staring at this big, red truck taking the students up in a cage. I was so excited I was not afraid of heights and enjoy the feeling, feeling free up in the cages. Since then I told myself I want to become a fire fighter, never did I know I would become the first woman of colour in the Western Cape in the fire brigade service.”

Scholtz continued, “This career was already predestined by the Lord and not by me. In Jer.29 verse 11. ‘For the plans I have for you is to prosper and not to harm you. Bright futures full of blessings but you much obey My commandments.’”

Scholtz started her career as a learner fire fighter on 1 April 1995 at Worcester Fire Department, today known as Breede Valley Fire Department in the Western Cape. “I struggled to compete with the male fire fighters but my determination, dedication and loyalty towards my goals paid off. In 2000 I went on the Firefighter I and II course at Drakenstein Fire Department. I had to sacrifice all my privileges, my leave, my shifts allowances, transportation etc,” she added.

“In spite of all this, I told myself that this is just the beginning for going forward. I must keep on moving forward and stay focussed. I believe although I have been treated unfairly in the workplace I can say with all honestly the goals I set for myself I have reached this far and will continue to strive to success.”

Scholtz completed the course successfully and received the Best Practical Award at the FFI and II Course. She enrolled at SAESI to write exams to equip herself with further qualifications. In 2009 she was awarded for the highest percentage in the Management and Administration on Higher Certificate Level by receiving the Flip Van Staden Trophy. In 2010 she became the first female officer at Breede Valley Fire Department in the position of Fire Safety Officer.

She was employed at Breede Valley for almost 24 years and in August 2019 became the first women assistant chief disaster management in Overstrand Municipality.

“My mission for the future is to qualify myself with the requirements to become a chief fire officer of the Fire Brigade Service. Ensure that fire service is not the last resource but the first, where service are needed whether it is fire, rescue, disaster or any emergency where there is a need to render our services. I believe I will be a CFO in the next five years with the Grace of the Lord.”

“Us as woman will experience challenges, like victimisation, differences, jealousy, etc every day in the workplace, we have to be strong, stop feeling sorry for ourselves, work harder and believe in ourselves. We can change the mind set of men that we are not there to compete against them but also to be a support to them and to serve the community. Challenges will also be there but you have to stay focussed, live each day as your last and you will make it. We must serve to make a change by putting others above ourselves. We as men and women, fire fighters in the service can all do better by respecting each other for who we are as brothers and sisters in the Fire Brigade Services. Stay humble and never forget where you came from,” said Scholtz.

She concluded with an inspirational quote by Dr Maya Angelou, “You may encounter many defeats but you must not be defeated.”

Source: Overstrand Municipality Fire and Rescue, Disaster Management and Security Services

25. October 2019/by GFMCadmin