By Nangamso Mabindla
27 July 2005

HE HAS been keeping the East London community safe for 30 years, yet Vaughn Smith, the station commander: operations in the City's fire and emergency services unit, is still passionate about his job.

When he began working for East London as a 17-year-old in July 1975, Smith never thought that three decades later he would still be serving the city's citizens.

He says he joined the fire department because of his love for his fellow humans.

"My love for people and their safety moved me to join the fire department and make a career out of putting other people's needs ahead of my own," Smith says.

Like any firefighter, the teenage Smith went through an eight-week training course to learn various firefighting techniques.

"I had to be trained on how to deal with different situations. I also went through various internal and external examinations and courses," he says.

In his years as a firefighter Smith has seen it all - big fires, rescue operations and bomb blasts. Recalling some of his major operations, he says the yearly multiple shack fires in Duncan Village, the Kola Ski Fire and the Wimpy bomb blasts in 1988 are just some of the jobs that stand out.

"We are all about extinguishing fires, saving people's lives and their property. We need to be well equipped for every situation. We cannot fail the public, and this is what drives us."

Speaking about the importance of knowing different firefighting techniques, Smith says, "Each fire is different, that is why you need to be trained. You have to make sure of your safety and that of the crew. That is my job as station commander."

Quick decision-making and continuous training in firefighting techniques, which are constantly evolving, are also needed if one wants to be a successful firefighter.

"The nature of the building determines what technique you will use when you get there. For shacks you need to make sure you know the direction of the wind so that you are able to stop the fire spreading to other shacks," Smith says.

In his time there have been more changes that just in firefighting techniques. Smith has also witnessed and embraced changes in the fire department itself.

He was at hand to help train the first black and female firefighters through the years.

"I have seen the fire and rescue services evolve over the years, and I'm happy to have seen it all."

Sport is another of his passions, and he has played more than a hundred games for the fire department's rugby team. He also won a bronze medal playing squash at the World Firefighter Games in 1998.

In addition, he has served as the secretary and the treasurer for the Southern African Emergency Service Institute.

In 1997 Smith was part of the guard of honour for former president Nelson Mandela when he visited East London, and in 2000 he was noted for his 25 years of loyalty to the city.

At 47 Smith is still hot and not about to let up on putting out fires. "I am still looking forward to serving my community," he says.