Engen employee and De Waterkant local Mike Rushton has helped raise funds for non-profit organisation, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS).

Utilising Engen’s Employee Community Partnership Programme (ECPP), the company’s Trading Operations Manager (and volunteer firefighter) was eligible for a R5 000 grant, which will used for fire equipment, PPE, equipment maintenance, and fuel.

Engen’s ECPP seeks to create meaningful partnerships between Engen employees who are involved in community upliftment initiatives and their local communities, thereby fostering a caring company ethos. 

As the largest volunteer firefighting organisation in South Africa, VWS was established in 1999/2000 and now has a force of more than 300 volunteers, with women making up 34% of the team.

VWS operates from four stations located in Newlands, the South Peninsula, Stellenbosch, and the Helderberg, combating dangerous and sometimes deadly runaway wildfires in the Western Cape.

Expressing gratitude to Mike and Engen for their support, VWS CEO Claire Lötter emphasises the importance of donations from companies like Engen in sustaining non-profit organisations like VWS.

“We are in urgent need of funding for ongoing operational costs as VWS receives no government funding despite being part of the Provincial Fire Disaster Management Plan,” says Lötter.

“To provide an efficient firefighting service to the people of Cape Town and surrounding areas, we rely on donations from the public and businesses to meet the ongoing running costs required for fire callouts and training.”

VWS protects South Africa's natural heritage, property, lives, and precious mountain water catchment areas from fires. Additionally, it protects communities and endangered fynbos species through fire suppression activities and fire education at schools with children.

Rushton, who has been a member of VWS since 2017 as an active firefighter and assistant crew leader, says the funds will assist with the resources required to fight fires.

“Being a firefighter requires dedication, teamwork, awareness, being fit and a commitment to protecting our community and natural heritage,” explains Rushton.

“Behind the scenes, there are key non firefighting roles within VWS such as Logistics, Planning, Despatch that the public are not always aware of, and I encourage more of my Engen colleagues to join VWS in any of the roles that are available.”

Engen’s CSI Manager, Olwethu Mdabula says Engen is committed to supporting the communities in which it operates.

"As a caring company with 'heart,' we are proud to support the VWS and commend Mike for his brave contribution to keeping the people of Cape Town safe.”