​The Toughest Firefighter Alive is a two-day competition being held at the Roeland Street Fire Station in which 106 contenders from around the country battle it out for the title of being South Africa's Toughest Firefighter Alive.

The sixth running of the event saw the City of Cape Town’s Baigum Abrahams win the female category for the second year in a row, while Emile Conrad from Eden District walked away with the title for the fifth consecutive time.

'Firefighting is a physically demanding job and this competition tests every aspect of what is required of them on a daily basis. South African firefighters are up there with the best and have proven themselves on the international stage. There is no doubt you have to be tough to be a firefighter and there are no losers. Congratulations Emile and especially our own Baigum who pipped the others to the post,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Firefighters were tested on their fitness, endurance and skill set and have to complete a number of challenges in full firefighting gear, including a hose drag, obstacle course, tower ascent and an 800 metre run.

The aim of the competition is to promote a spirit of excellence and produce firefighters who are able to compete on the international stage; to equip them with skills that enable them to perform to the peak of their abilities, to continue to push the boundaries in delivering a better, high quality service; and to boost their morale.

The City's Fire and Rescue Service also announced an initiative to support the Sunflower Foundation with its continued efforts to assist patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.

'To provide support and highlight the good work that is being carried out by the foundation, our service has converted one of our vehicles in a similar fashion as has been initiated overseas. Our service now has a bright pink fire engine which we hope will be a symbol of hope to those who are diagnosed with life threatening illness and an encouragement to others to support these initiatives,' said Alderman Smith.

The pink fire engine representing women and children, is named Hope and is a refurbished Ford FMC.

Hope is the first pink fire engine in the fleet and also the first in the country.

'Hope is an acronym for Helping Our People Everywhere and will operate out of Wynberg fire station,’ said Alderman Smith.

​​ Hope will be used for:
•  Reach for a dream projects
•  Children's hospital visits
•  Healthcare awareness drives for related terminal illnesses such as cancer and its many forms in all vulnerable communities
•  Pink Drive schools programme with the aim of educating learners on the importance of healthy living and addressing the risk factors of cancer

The Pink Drive is an organisation which strives to educate individuals on the prevention of breast, cervical, prostate and testicular cancer. 

Hope should not be associated with a vehicle responding to emergencies and is strictly assigned and supportive of terminal illness awareness campaigns and the support they provide.
  
'It is our aim that Hope will encourage those who see her on the streets. Every cancer survivor, family member and supporter is a hero. We tip our hats to all of them,' said Alderman Smith.

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