Cape Town firefighters responded to over 30 000 incidents in the past year, as International Firefighters Day highlights rising demand and the importance of public safety.
Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service continues to face increasing pressure, responding to 30 302 incidents between 1 May 2025 and 29 April 2026. This reflects an increase of 454 incidents compared to the previous year.
Vegetation fires remain the most common emergency, rising from 12 345 to 13 020 incidents. Motor vehicle accidents also increased slightly, from 4 914 to 4 991 cases.
Pedestrian accidents declined from 2 269 to 2 120 incidents, while informal residential fires rose from 2 003 to 2 125. Formal residential fires remained relatively stable, increasing marginally from 1 893 to 1 898 incidents.
These figures provide insight into the scale and complexity of emergency responses across the city, with fires and road-related incidents accounting for the majority of callouts.
The City of Cape Town acknowledged the contribution of firefighters and support teams, highlighting their role in maintaining public safety under increasing demand.
The City is continuing to invest in the Fire and Rescue Service. The proposed 2026/27 capital budget includes R20 million for upgrades to fire stations in Brooklyn, Mfuleni and Constantia, along with R3 million allocated toward the construction of a new fire station in Langa.
International Firefighters Day is commemorated globally on 4 May each year, recognising the dedication and service of firefighters.
In Cape Town, the Fire and Rescue Service will host a public event at Wesfleur Sports Ground in Atlantis on Saturday, 9 May 2026, from 09:45 to 15:00. The programme will include exhibitions, live demonstrations, sport and family activities.
A cavalcade through the streets of Atlantis will take place ahead of the event, starting at 08:30.
Residents are encouraged to attend and engage with the service, while also taking steps to improve fire safety and reduce preventable incidents.
