The City of Windhoek celebrated Fire Fighter's Day on Friday.

The day is meant to honor the men and women who often risk their lives to save others.

Whether it's an uncontrollable inferno or an emergency rescue situation, firefighters are usually the first to respond.

As a result, Fire Fighters Day is an opportunity to recognize those who go above and beyond to keep the community and its property safe.

Chief Raymond Kapia, from the Emergency and Disaster Risk Management division at the City of Windhoek, said, "Dennis Larry said that firefighters are some of the most selfless public servants you will ever encounter. He further went on and said, 'One thing that's great about firefighting is that if they don't have the equipment they desperately need or the help they need, they don't care; they will do it on their own'."

Chief Kapia says it takes sacrifice and courage to do what firefighters do on a daily basis.

From January until the end of October 2022, these firefighters responded to more than 6000 incidents, which is an average of more than 500 callouts a month.

"The bulk of the callouts are ambulance calls. That is about 80% or 87% of the total callouts. The number of fires was 644, which is 10% of the callouts, rescue is 1%, and special services are 1% as well."

Windhoek Mayor Sade Gawa!Nas said even though firefighters make up the world's finest and bravest emergency services personnel, they are also undermined in some settings.

"It is indeed very sad to note that firefighting is one of the least talked about careers, and the skills and mental strength required are often taken for granted until an incident occurs. Only then do we recognize and value the importance of firefighters in saving lives and protecting property."

Various firefighters received certificates of appreciation for having served between 10 and 40 years.