Meela Matome Aubrey: The unsung hero saving lives

Meela Matome Aubrey (48) is a seasoned firefighter who has spent the final 19 years devoted to saving lives and defending properties in Ekurhuleni.

His outstanding journey from a younger boy in Sekonye Village in Limpopo to a revered member of the Ekurhuleni Emergency Companies displays a life pushed by ardour, perseverance, and the unwavering need to serve his group.

Meela’s story will not be solely inspiring however serves as a reminder that success is commonly born from exhausting work, sacrifice, and the willpower to comply with one’s goals.

Meela was born and raised in Sekonye Village, a small group in Limpopo, as certainly one of 5 youngsters. From a younger age, Meela knew he needed to be a firefighter.

His fascination with the job started early on, but it surely wasn’t simply the heroism that attracted him, it was the selflessness and the power to make a tangible distinction in individuals’s lives.

As a boy, he labored at his uncle’s fast-food restaurant, the place paramedics usually got here to purchase meals. This supplied a singular alternative for Meela to ask questions on what it took to grow to be a firefighter.

“I’d at all times ask the paramedics in regards to the {qualifications} wanted to grow to be a firefighter. I knew that if I might get the appropriate info, I might discover a strategy to make it occur,” he remembers.

Rising up in a household the place sources had been restricted, Meela knew that his dream would require extra than simply exhausting work and keenness.

His father handed away when Meela was simply 19 years previous, leaving him with the accountability of supporting his household.Meela started working at his uncle’s quick meals restaurant, the place he realized a few of life’s most essential classes.

“It was at my uncle’s enterprise that I realized the worth of loving my household and respecting others,” Meela says.

Regardless of the monetary challenges, Meela was decided to pursue his dream. He saved each penny he might to enrol within the BAC qualification programme in Rustenburg.

“I needed to save as a result of there was not sufficient cash at house for me to get my qualification,” he explains.

However Meela’s persistence paid off. In 2001, he accomplished his qualification, and with it, he launched into a journey that might take him removed from house.

After finishing his qualification, Meela moved to Johannesburg to work as a supply driver. His new job took him throughout South Africa, and ultimately, he was transferred to Pretoria.

Nevertheless, after 5 years, Meela made the tough resolution to resign. His bosses didn’t need him to depart, however Meela’s coronary heart was set on a profession in firefighting.

“It was a troublesome resolution, however I knew that if I needed to comply with my dream, I needed to take that leap of religion,” he says.

In 2006, on the age of 30, Meela lastly received his probability. He joined the Ekurhuleni Emergency Companies as a firefighter on the Alberton Hearth Station.

“Once I received the job, it felt like a dream come true. It was every little thing I had labored for, every little thing I had hoped for,” Meela says with a smile.

Since then, Meela has labored at Alberton Hearth Station, amassing a formidable 19 years of expertise. Over time, he has confronted numerous challenges, every one presenting a possibility to study and develop as a firefighter.

For Meela, each emergency name is a chance to study one thing new. He treats every scene with the utmost seriousness and care, understanding that no two conditions are alike.

“Each scene is totally different, and every one should be handled otherwise. You study new issues on a regular basis as a result of each state of affairs presents its personal set of challenges,” he says.

CoE’s Catastrophe and Emergency Administration Companies spokesperson, William Ntladi, speaks extremely of Meela’s professionalism and angle.

“Meela is a kind of guys who got here to this job with a whole lot of ardour and bodily health. He’s at all times on time, at all times prepared to assist, and at all times prepared to place his life on the road,” explains Ntladi.

Meela’s each day routine begins with receiving emergency calls. When alerted to a fireplace or rescue state of affairs, he instantly gathers his staff and ensures they’re totally ready to reply.

“The very first thing I do once I obtain a name is to file the individual’s quantity in case the decision will get lower off. I then collect all the main points in regards to the incident, and as soon as I’ve all the knowledge, I inform my colleagues to arrange the hearth engine,” he defined.

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All the staff should work in unison, donning their full hearth kits and checking the gear earlier than setting off.

Meela emphasises the significance of teamwork and a focus to element in each step of the method. Firefighting is a demanding job, not solely bodily however emotionally.

Meela usually encounters traumatic conditions, witnessing accidents and fatalities that may take a toll on even probably the most seasoned professionals.

To deal with the emotional stress, Meela maintains a strict train routine. Operating, particularly, helps him keep mentally sturdy and centered.

“Train helps me clear my thoughts and retains me mentally sharp,” he says.

Meela’s dedication to his work extends past the job itself. He’s identified for his cleanliness and organisation expertise at work, guaranteeing that every little thing is in its correct place to keep away from distractions throughout emergency responses.

Meela’s journey didn’t cease along with his preliminary qualification. He repeatedly sought to develop his information and expertise by learning to grow to be a pump operator, aerial operator, and teacher.

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His thirst for information and self-improvement has made him a helpful asset to his staff. He encourages younger individuals who aspire to grow to be firefighters to take action out of ardour, not for the monetary rewards.

“If you wish to be a firefighter, do it since you wish to serve individuals, not due to the cash. You could love this job, and also you should be prepared to place others earlier than your self,” Meela advises.

All through his profession, Meela has been concerned in a number of rescue missions.

One of the vital memorable incidents occurred on the N3 freeway, the place a truck had overturned, trapping its occupants inside.

Meela and his staff managed to extract the victims from the wreckage, demonstrating his expertise in motorcar rescue.

One other notable incident occurred on the N12, the place 52 autos had been concerned in a large pile-up. Meela was instrumental in making a “crash cage” to assist prioritise victims based mostly on the severity of their accidents.

This fast pondering and teamwork helped be sure that probably the most critically injured had been attended to first. Along with his skilled accomplishments, Meela is a proud father of 4 youngsters and a loving husband.

He acknowledges that being a firefighter is dangerous, however he’s deeply grateful for the unwavering help and prayers of his household, which give him power and reassurance every day.

Exterior of labor, Meela can be a member of the South African Emergency Institute soccer staff, the place he has continued to excel.

The camaraderie and bodily health required for the game complement his work as a firefighter and supply an outlet for leisure and teamwork.

Meela has confirmed that goals, regardless of how huge, will be achieved by dedication, sacrifice and a love for serving others.