Media Release: GRDM empowered 228 First Aid Level 3 Participants in 2025

For immediate release
9 December 2025

Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Disaster Management Centre, this year, presented First Aid Level 3 training to 228 candidates from the Garden Route district. The team facilitated 11 training sessions of which 228 candidates in total were trained.

Executive Mayor of GRDM, Cllr Marais Kruger, commended the team, as well as those who participated in the training throughout the year and said: “By training 228 individuals in First Aid Level 3, we’ve strengthened our region’s capacity to respond to emergencies at every level. Thank you facilitators and all participants for your participation in the programme. Your willingness to step up, learn, and serve is exactly what builds a safer and more resilient Garden Route,” he said.

First Aid Level 3 Training Sessions conducted throughout the year.

These 11 sessions included learners from schools across the district, different government departments, as well as private companies and individuals, including employed and unemployed youth, but sessions were mostly facilitated to members of the Garden Route Disaster Management Volunteer Corps.

Other groups who benefited from the programme include: the South African Police Service and POPs, lifeguards, officials from the Departments of Forestry, Fishery, and the Environment, as well as Justice, Firefighters across the district, Fidelity Security Guards, GRDM employees including Disaster Management Interns, Unjani Clinic employees, counselors from Legally You and educators, as well as several participants from Early Childhood Development Centres.

The First Aid training is done to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to help themselves and others in emergency situations. The programme consists of three days of theoretical training and a practical exercise on the Thursday where students get the opportunity to practice Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), wound dressings, and other critical first aid skills. On the Friday, the program concludes with a competency test.

The course is open to all, offering a week-long opportunity to gain essential life-saving skills. Upon successful completion where students have to score 80%, they will be issued a First Aid Level 3 course Certification that is valid for a three year period.

The last training session which included 19 enrolled candidates took place from 24 to 28 November 2025, at GRDM’s Joint Operation Centre. These successful candidates will now also be able to assist any person in an emergency.

Among the dedication witnessed by facilitators Gail Bekeer and Wouter Jacobs, together with GRDM Firefighters, many highlights stood out throughout the year. These included strong teamwork, high energy levels, a commitment to understanding various concepts and practical exercises, excellent class attendance, as well as excellent marks of up to 100% by some participants. These are testament of how thoroughly the facilitators prepare themselves to present the course in the best possible manner.

The Level 3 First Aid Training allows members of the public to enroll directly without needing to complete First Aid Level 1 and 2.

There is 𝗻𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 if you apply to become a Disaster Management Volunteer!

Download the application form: https://tinyurl.com/m5sjuzmk
Send a completed form to 📧 gail.bekeer@gardenroute.gov.za or wouter@gardenroute.gov.za

𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: If you are not planning to become a volunteer, the fee payable is R682 (rate valid till 30 June 2026).

Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

📍 Training takes place at the GRDM Joint Operation Centre, 54 York Street, George
📞 Gail Bekeer (044 803 1347) or Wouter Jacobs (044 803 1316)

Feature Image: A demonstration during a First Aid Level 3 training session.

ENDS