5000 firefighters stationed across South Africa protect lives, property, forests, biodiversity, and commercial, forestry and agriculture from billion-rand losses yearly. Beyond firefighting, recruits receive training in first aid, health and safety, communications, leadership and disaster management equipping many with skills that extend beyond the initiative. Fighting SA’s most destructive wildfire disastersWOF also supports fire protection associations, municipalities and conservation agencies during high-risk fire seasons. Billion-rand losses yearlyDuring severe fire seasons, aircraft and ground crews are routinely deployed across provincial boundaries to reinforce local firefighting efforts. Since its inception, the programme has evolved into one of the country’s largest wildfire management operations.