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PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - “Let us remember our response. May it remain in our memory longer than the fire itself.”
These were the words of volunteer firefighter Steve Ritky, who is part of the Plett South fire management unit (FMU), during a poignant ceremony held at Central Beach on Thursday evening to commemorate the devastating June 2017 fires.
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A group of residents and various individuals, who played a role in assisting during the disaster, gathered on the beach to among others, light candles, to remember the tragedy and celebrate the growth that has followed.
During the ceremony Ritky asked residents to extinguish their candles, except for the family of volunteer firefighter Bradley Richards. Richards succumbed to injuries sustained while fighting the June 2017 fires.
Ritky said that the single light left represented Richards. Residents were then asked to use that candle to relight their own to symbolise Richards’ “light shining on”.
Ritky also praised the community for standing together to fight the fires against all odds. “We had no chance of fighting the assault of that fire on our lives and our community. What was striking was that that onslaught was met by our community. May we remember our response. May it remain in our memory longer than the fire itself.”
He added when the realisation set it that the fires were out of control they also realised that there would be no help from the outside. “The N2 was closed, so we couldn’t get help from Knysna or George. Port Elizabeth was too far. We realised that this was a disaster Bitou would have to face alone.”
Ritky praised the community for standing together to fight the fires against all odds.
He said that the community was however up for the challenge. It was only after about four days out on the frontline that Ritky and other firefighters could see just how well the community responded and that this was especially highlighted by the relief centre.
“We only walked in there after several days and it was incredible to see how organised everyone was. There was everything going on from dealing with donations to providing councilling and medical assistance.”
Bitou speaker Euan Wildeman also thanked the community for placing their neighbours first during the disasters.
“I’ve been involved in Plettenberg Bay for many years and I’ve seen how the town comes together in crisis on many occasions. This was no different.”
Since the fires a training course has been developed to help volunteer firefighters to respond to wildfires effectively and safely. During the ceremony those who had completed the training were also given certificates.
The local National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) then lit flares on the beach before the Fireman’s Pray was read in closing.
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