Rescue South Africa

1 week ago

What an incredible experience it has been for the ATA International Holdings team to witness the remarkable practical training of 3rd-year students in partnership with Rescue South Africa this year!

This experience was not only eye-opening but also incredibly insightful. We witnessed the development of future leaders in emergency response and the impact they will undoubtedly make in their careers.

#rescuesa #there4life #paramedics #emergencymanagement #emergencyresponse #emergencypreparedness ... See MoreSee Less

Rescue South Africa

1 week ago

Join the ATA International team at the Investing in African Mining Indaba, taking place from February 5-8, 2024. We will be exhibiting at stand H13 and eager to connect with industry leaders and explore opportunities in Africa's dynamic mining sector.

Attendees from our team include:
🎙Trevor Justus - Director
🎙Andre Lotz - Director
🎙Aidan Justus – Group of Companies Director
🎙Sharona Leigh de Klerk - Assistant to Commercial Director & Marketing Manager
🎙Tasneem Bowles - Operations Manager
🎙Kyle Hudson Bennett - Business Development Manager
🎙Melissa Tilma - Operations Project Supervisor
🎙Micaela van Zyl - Business Development Consultant

We look forward to sharing our expertise and forging valuable partnerships at this premier event.

#ATA #ATAInternational #There4life #InvestingInAfrica #MiningIndaba2024 #MiningIndaba ... See MoreSee Less

Rescue South Africa

3 weeks ago

Rescue South Africa's cover photo ... See MoreSee Less

Rescue South Africa

1 month ago

Jack Haskins was a member of Rescue South Africa from the very beginning, and we are proud to share photos of our last mission together where he joined us on our response to Pemba, Mozambique 2019. He will be greatly missed, and we extend our condolences to his friends & family. ... See MoreSee Less

Rescue South Africa

1 month ago

Retired Firefighter “Will work for the sake of working.”

Firefighting is a great way to make a living. We see and do things that most people can barely imagine. We never know what the events of the day will lead us into, but we do know that we will think of a way that will lead us out. When bad things happen to people, they invite us to join them, and we never turn down an invite. Most of the time the people who need us would invite us back, any time.

We all know that we cannot do the job forever, but while we can, we squeeze every bit of life into each and every moment. There is nothing that we can’t do, no obstacle we will not overcome, and nothing we fear, except, maybe, what to do when it is time for us to re-join the workforce after “retirement.”

Alas, all good things must come to an end, and it’s the same with a firefighting career. When our time in uniform is through, we put all of our experiences together, put on our finest civilian suit and hit the pavement-resume in hand.

Our job search should be short, for who could deny a retired firefighter employment? Nobody would be dumb enough to let one of us walk out the door once they realize just how much they need us and our unique skill set.

The Resume

- Easily motivated - as long as all hell is breaking loose
- Punctual – simply install tones in the office, we’ll respond
- Self starter – just light a fire under our ass and watch us move!
- Works well with others – especially if they are unconscious
- Excellent problem solver – nothing a charged line and an axe can’t solve
- Works well under pressure – although when there is no pressure, not so much

Every potential employer dreams of the day that a retired firefighter walks through their door looking for work!

The Interview

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” they may ask.

“I live in the moment,” you respond, knowing from experience that life changes in an instant.

“What special skills do you bring to the table?”

“I make a hell of a pot roast,” you reply, thinking everybody loves pot roast!

“How do you handle a difficult co-worker?”

“Slap him in the back of the head and tell him to quit acting like a little bitch,” you reply, having dealt with dozens of FNG’s over the years who simply needed a good kick in the ass to set them straight.

“And if the difficult co-worker is female?”

“Your point?” you ask. Firefighters are firefighters, nobody is treated different.

“And what makes you believe that you are the right candidate for the position,” the interviewer asks.

“Well, sir, I can wrestle snakes, pull plaster ceilings away from their lats, drive fast and efficiently, squeeze 1000 gallons of water a minute through an old pump, don a SCBA in four seconds, force doors, evacuate buildings, walk on water, run through flames, crawl into windows, stay low, climb icy ladders, chop holes in roofs, pull kids from frozen lakes, bodies from mangled cars, perform CPR, start IV’s, defibrillate dead people, push meds, wind boxes, stretch line, dress hydrants, carry people, check smoke alarms, pump basements, stop bleeding, restore breathing, start hearts and put out fires.”

“But can you sell trinkets?”

The Reality

Fortunately, selling trinkets is not the only thing to do when retiring from the fire service. There are a ton of employment opportunities for middle-aged, grey skinned, grey haired people who spent the previous twenty plus years waiting for emergencies and then responding. Opportunities for crusty old jakes who are used to people getting out of their way when they come charging through abound.

The workforce is in dire need of people set in their ways, who do things right, and are not afraid to get dirty doing it.
Now, all we have to do is find an employer who understands the need for the first hour of the day to be spent hanging around the coffee pot discussing politics, sports, the opposite sex, food, the morons from the previous shift, the morons from the present shift and the morons who will be relieving them.

Add to that our willingness to clean up after ourselves, scrub toilets, cook, sweep and take out the rubbish and we present the prospective employer the total package.

As a matter of fact, no sense pounding the pavement looking for work, let’s just sit back, find the remote and wait for the work to come to us!

*author's note: Lowes was a great part time job, lasted three years. I only miss it a little. ... See MoreSee Less

Rescue South Africa

4 months ago

🎉 Celebrating Women's Month at the Faculty of Health Sciences! 🌟
Throughout this entire month, we're thrilled to be honouring the remarkable women who contribute their passion, expertise, and dedication to our faculty! 💪🏽👩‍⚕️

In honour of Women's Month, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on an exceptional woman whose journey and passion have ignited a trail of inspiration - Mrs Doina-Nicoleta Naude, a Clinical Pharmacist and dedicated lecturer within our Pharmacy Department at the Faculty of Health Sciences.

📚 Guiding the Path of Future Pharmacists:
With unwavering dedication, Mrs Naude passionately nurtures the growth of young students, shaping them into empathetic and critical thinkers who embark on a lifelong journey of learning and skilled pharmacy practice.

🌍 A Journey from Bucharest to Port Elizabeth:
Born in Bucharest, Romania, in 1981, Mrs Naude's fascination with the healing power of medication bloomed early. After graduating Cum Laude in 2005 from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila" Bucharest, she embarked on a journey that would lead her to become a Clinical Pharmacist of distinction.

💡 A Career Steeped in Excellence:
From retail pharmacy to Clinical Pharmacy residency at "Floreasca Emergency Hospital," her determination saw her become a Responsible Pharmacist. Joining Johnson & Johnson's Regulatory Affairs team paved the way for her involvement in Market Access and other impactful programs, including Corporate Social Responsibility.

🌟 Enriching Lives Through Education:
Since 2016, Mrs Naude's academic journey at Nelson Mandela University began. As a contract lecturer, she trained Pharmacy Technician students and shared her passion for learning with BPharm Clinical Pharmacy students. Her creation, LOOOP, simplifies academic life.

🧬 Pioneering Pharmacogenetics:
Fascinated by pharmacogenetics, Mrs Naude is on a mission to help individuals across South Africa understand how genetics can influence treatment outcomes.

📝 A Dedication to Quality:
Mrs Naude's dedication to values, learning, and human life is evident in every facet of her work. She holds two publications, contributing to the field of Clinical Pharmacy.

👩‍👦 Balancing Roles:
Beyond academia, she finds joy in being a loving mother to her curious 8-year-old son. As a runner, she conquers challenges, with the Two Oceans Ultra-Marathon being a testament to her determination.

🌟 Inspiring Tomorrow's Leaders:
Mrs Doina-Nicoleta Naude's journey exemplifies the transformative power of dedication, education, and passion. Her commitment to quality, values, and learning is an inspiration to us all.

Here's to celebrating her and the remarkable women who shape our academic community! 💐
Stay tuned for our daily posts as we celebrate more extraordinary women's achievements, resilience, and unwavering spirit. Like, share, and spread the word to inspire others and let the world know how proud we are of our female trailblazers! 🌟💕

#WomenInHealthSciences #CelebrateWomen #WomensMonth2023 #FacultyofHealthSciences #MandelaUni #WeAreHealthSciences ... See MoreSee Less