A memorial service was held in memory of SAEC’s Jan Liebenberg at the Gereformeerde Kerk in Kempton Park, on Saturday, 25 January 2025. Jan passed a away in December 2024.
A bagpiper led the Guard of Honour and family members into the church, followed by close friends and colleagues from several fire departments and biker groups.
The service was led by Chaplain Christian Finn after which several family members and friends shared their messages as well as read letters received from people unable to attend the memorial. Speakers included Jan’s daughter, Amy and nephew Luca Cabula as well as long time customer and friend, Sherry Pretorius and George Fernell.
Jan’s wife, Elmaré, dedicated a special song to him, Thank you Love by Roger Whittaker.
Midvaal Fire Department’s Tertius Engelbrecht read a poem written by Jan:
A poem that Jan wrote Brother, when you weep for me, remember, that this, was meant to be. Lay me down, and when you leave, remember, I’ll be at your sleeve. In every dark and chocking hall, I’ll be there as you slowly crawl. On every roof, in driving snow, I’ll hold your coat, and you will know, In Cellars hot with searing heat, at windows where a gate you meet, In closets where young children hide, You know I’ll be there at your side. The House from which I now respond is over staffed with heroes gone, Men who answered one last bell, did the job and did it well. As Firemen, we understand, that deaths a card dealt in our hand. A card we hope we never play, but one we hold there anyway. That card is something we ignore as we crawl across a weakened floor, For we know, that we’re the only prayer for anyone that might be there. So remember as you wipe your tears, the joy I know throughout the years, As I did the job I loved to do, I pray that thought will see you through. ~ Jan Liebenberg
Station officer Engelbrecht then rang the last bell after which the Guard of Honour led all to the hall for refreshments.
A message from Bennie Vorster, ex CFO, Lanseria Airport and long time friend The machine bay is empty, Rescue One responded to its last call with a crew of one. But somehow my heart is not empty because i know that Jan is not alone on this call, he is in safe hands. I think back and thank our Lord Jesus for blessing me with a lifelong friend and colleague of 43 years. I think of the countless callout’s together, the fires, the rescues, the long nights in the back of an ambulance trying to save a life, and the sadness when you fail. The joy of helping to bring a new life into the world. The hours spend at hospital casualty wards. With Jan as your crewmate you knew things will be okay. I think of all the jokes, always time for a joke! The pranks and tricks at the station, the new ideas that we had to try, that is my friend, Jan plan! But wait, be still Jan, can you hear the sirens wailing, listen, it’s coming from heaven, can you hear it? Its Jesus, He knows you are in trouble, He can feel your pain, it’s your time to be rescued. He is calling you to come and serve under His command, go, you will be okay, you are in safe hands. Don’t worry, the station and the crew will be okay, the rookies can take over now, you have trained them well. The time will come when the rest of the crew will fall in at morning parade when the bell rings. We will again stand to attention, shoulder to shoulder, side by side. Take care and thank you for the honour and privilege to call Jan Liebenberg my friend! I salute you!
From all of us at Fire and Rescue International, we offer our deepest condolences to Elmaré and the family, Jan’s friends and colleagues. Rest in Peace, Jan.
Quote of the week “Individual commitment to a group effort; that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilisation work.” ~ Vince Lombardi
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Midvaal crews respond to several complex extrications, Meyerton
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Source: Culture Tube
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This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: Why risk mapping is important written by Malcolm Proctor (FRI Vol 3 no 2). We will be sharing more technical/research/tactical articles from Fire and Rescue International magazine on a weekly basis with our readers to assist in technology transfer. This will hopefully create an increased awareness, providing you with hands-on advice and guidance. All our magazines are available free of charge in PDF format on our website and online at ISSUU. We also provide all technical articles as a free download in our article archive on our website.
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Source: Fire Safety Research Institute
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