SATURDAY INTERVIEW

of customer-centric delivery by putting our residents first in everything they do.”

With a background in engineering, Muir has been instrumental in the switch from using water to foam in fire engines and he will continue to work from home, designing firefighting equipment.

Compressed air foam allows firefighters to use less water, but what comes out of their hoses has more of a dousing effect to put out blazes faster. Muir has not only trained many of the city’s fire fighters and police officers, he is also a licensed commercial diving instructor.

Muir joined the then-Milnerton Municipality in 1972 as an apprentice petrol and diesel mechanic. After qualifying in 1975, he was transferred to the fire department.

“I saw this as a challenging, adventurous, outdoor lifestyle and an opportunity to save the world,” he said.

He has fought many fires, delivered the odd baby and has even been at the side of a dying person.

One of the disasters he survived was at a factory fire 18 years ago when a hot water cylinder broke loose and landed on his head, leaving him with a fractured neck. “I was off for work for three months – and that was the longest time I was away from my job.”

He said while basic firefighting techniques had not changed much over the years, the technology and equipment had. This included the use of thermal imaging cameras, compressed air foam systems and modern nozzles, pumps and extrication and stabilising equipment. This is where Muir will focus his energies when he retires in 2020.

Another change was the

PICTURES: SUPPLIED City of Cape Town firefighter Pat Muir, 61, has dedicated 46 years of his life to the City’s firefighting services, making him the longest-serving firefighter. He is the commander of fleet operations at the Milnerton Fire Station.