A New Era Begins: Cape Town Appoints Clinton Manuel as Fire Chief
Cape Town has a new Fire Chief, Clinton Manuel, who has more than 30 years of firefighting experience. Manuel is poised to lead the Fire & Rescue Service and continue building a service that is strong and resilient. ### Manuel's Journey to Becoming Fire Chief
Cape Town has a new Fire Chief, Clinton Manuel, who has more than 30 years of firefighting experience. Manuel is poised to lead the Fire & Rescue Service and continue building a service that is strong and resilient.
Manuel’s Journey to Becoming Fire Chief
Manuel joined the Cape Town Municipal Fire Brigade in 1989 as a Learner Firefighter. Since then, he has served at various fire stations, including Lakeside, Epping, Salt River, Roeland Street, Gugulethu, and the renamed Fire & Rescue Service Training Academy. Manuel has advanced his career by obtaining additional certifications, earning a National Diploma in Fire Service Technology in 1995 and a Public Management degree.
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Manuel’s Appointment and Vision
Chief Manuel is humbled and proud to have been appointed and recognizes the trust placed in him by the city. He aims to foster unity among Fire and Rescue Service employees and city residents to work together toward enhancing safety in Cape Town. Through training, development, and advancement, Manuel’s vision is to continue the Fire and Rescue Service’s excellence and innovation.
Enthusiastic Welcome by Mayco Member
JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security, welcomes Manuel’s appointment with enthusiasm, citing his familiarity with the firefighters he commands and his passion for training, development, and advancement. Smith is confident that Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service is in good hands.
Symbolic Gesture Marking the Beginning of a New Era
Ian Schnetler, Manuel’s predecessor, retired after serving as Fire Chief for many years. Schnetler awarded Manuel his accredited stars at the Epping Fire Station, signifying the start of a new era in Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service.
Clinton Manuel’s appointment as Fire Chief signifies a new chapter in Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service. The city and its residents can have confidence in Manuel’s leadership and the dedicated firefighters who serve under him. Manuel’s vision for a strong and resilient Fire Service will continue to ensure the safety and well-being of Cape Town and its people.
Liam Fortuin is a Cape Town journalist whose reporting on the city’s evolving food culture—from township kitchens to wine-land farms—captures the flavours and stories of South Africa’s many kitchens. Raised in Bo-Kaap, he still starts Saturday mornings hunting koesisters at family stalls on Wale Street, a ritual that feeds both his palate and his notebook.
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