Scottsdene Volunteer Unit wins top honours at Disaster Risk Management Awards

Cape Town’s disaster heroes were in the spotlight this past weekend as the Scottsdene Volunteer Unit walked away with top honours at the 13th annual Disaster Risk Management Volunteer Awards.

The city has more than 550 registered Disaster Risk Management volunteers. Over 80% are active, clocking more than 18 000 hours between July and September alone.

For 13 years, the Disaster Risk Management Centre has hosted the ceremony to salute volunteers who step up when the city needs them most.

Categories included long service awards, certificates of appreciation, rookies of the year, Unit of the Year, and volunteers with the highest logged hours.

Scottsdene claimed the coveted Unit of the Year title.

Judges looked at overall performance across the year — from recruiting and training new volunteers to responding at short notice for major incidents, staying on top of admin, and assisting with emergency exercises, awareness drives and disaster relief.

Milnerton’s Gary Muller was honoured as the longest-serving volunteer on the night, marking an extraordinary 35 years of service.

The city's Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith said volunteers remain the backbone of the city’s resilience.

“The safety and security environment can feel like a never-ending lurch from one crisis to the next, so it’s always so incredibly special to spend a few hours with our dedicated volunteers, and to celebrate their achievements and contributions. Cape Town owes them a debt of gratitude for all they do to make our city safer.

"I want to express my thanks to them for their service and dedication, and for running towards the fires and floods and other public safety demands that Cape Town has to navigate annually,” he said.

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