South Africa’s informal settlements are plagued by the increasing incidence of shack fires, but communitybased firefighters can combat this problem. The Lindokuhle Mayabo Foundation is an NPO that trains jobless youths to become communitybased firefighters who work with the local fire department and medical teams to mitigate the loss of lives during such catastrophic events. The Foundation offers a proactive countermeasure to the shack fire crisis and potentially revolutionizes disaster management in South Africa, with collaborations between metropolitan fire departments and medical experts paving the way for similar initiatives in other cities. The Lindokuhle Mayabo Foundation shines as a beacon of promise, demonstrating the strength of community spirit, resilience, and determination.