Theresa, who is the Emergency Management Services’ (EMS) Station Commander, has initiated several developmental programmes in the City, including the distinguished Public Information, Education, and Relations (PIER) campaign, for which she is the overarching Officer.

PIER assists communities with information to avert environmental and other man-made disasters. It also reaches out to schools. It brings awareness on basic firefighting, first aid, CPR practices, Covid-19 related activities, evacuations, as well as basic fire safety and injury prevention.

De Klerk has also worked on other successful programmes, such as the internationally recognised school emergency response team. Another initiative dear to her heart is the drug-free programme that she administers to youth and children in schools.

“We target communities and mostly schools so that we can educate the children and possibly stop them from harming themselves or others,” she says.

De Klerk started off in the control rooms of EMS in 1993 and became one of the first female firefighters in the City. “To be appointed as one of the first female firefighters in Johannesburg was a huge honour. However, it was not without its challenges, especially because it was seen as a male-dominated workspace.”

De Klerk adds that as a firefighter, she had to work twice as hard to keep up mentally and physically with everyone else. “There are always ways and means to get your fitness and strength up. I had to wake up earlier and maybe go home later, but I was passionate about being a successful firefighter. I would encourage more females to take up firefighting.”

She joined the City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety Department as a station commander a few years after her appointment as a firefighter. “It was the worst move I could have made. I hated it so desperately because I was passionate about medicine and medical care. I then resigned and became a paramedic for Netcare,” she explains.

Due to an injury, De Klerk could no longer work as a paramedic and needed to change her career again. Fortunately, there was a vacancy for her current role, and that’s how she returned to the City.

She says she loves working for the municipality because the opportunities are endless, and you are never stuck working in just one field or level. Since returning, De Klerk has successfully implemented many programmes and obtained a Psychological Counselling Degree. She wishes to obtain a Master’s in the field soon. She also has a goal of becoming the Divisional Chief.

“My career and my life story are not a picture perfect tale, but I am proud of my accomplishments and my drive to always do better. I will continue to strive and serve in the City with everything I have,” says Theresa.