The Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) Working on Fire (WoF) officially launched the provincial fire awareness campaign on Friday, 12 October 2018 at the Hawston Thusong Centre.
The fire awareness campaign is aimed to teach communities how to be Fire Safe, to prevent unwanted veld and forest fires, to raise awareness of the risk of veld fires and empower those at risk to take responsibility to reduce the risk and impact of fires in their communities.
“The value of fire awareness and fire safe preparation around properties cannot be over-emphasised,” said Moses Manganye, Western Cape General Manager for the Working on Fire programme.
In her address, Deputy Mayor Elnora Gillion stressed the importance of partnerships in protecting people, property and the Cape Floral Kingdom. She called on the community to help fight fires by being vigilant and reporting fires sooner than later. “The quicker we get the firefighters on the scene, the less damage there will be at the end of the day.” In her closing remarks, she also thanked all stakeholders, including firefighters, law enforcement officers and traffic officials “for making our communities fire safe”.
Overberg District Municipality (ODM) Deputy Mayor Archie Klaas augmented these efforts in his speech, by thanking firefighters for the valuable service they provide and said “we appreciate you and the significant impact you have on our communities”.
Also speaking at the event, Assistant Fire Chief: Operations and Training Angelo Aplon said the Overstrand is an inherent fire prone area with a very high fire risk.
“Residents must work together and become more fire wise - fire is after all everyone’s fight,” he emphasised.
He also thanked all role players, including the community, for their support and assistance during a fire and concluded by saying “we would like to wish all the Emergency Services a safe fire season.”
Community Safety Tips:
During the next few weeks leading up to the start of the fire season, we urge communities to be more vigilant and not to start unnecessary fires particularly during dry days. People are also asked to remove unnecessary rubble on their properties which can pose a serious fire risk and houses next to grasslands need to ensure that there are sufficient fire breaks between their properties and the grasslands.
Residents should cut back overhanging tree branches close to their properties and also clean their gutters as leaves that end up in gutters can pose a fire risk.
Minimise your risk of fires - don't flick your cigarette butts, don't overload power plugs, keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, and install smoke detectors where applicable.
People must also ensure that they have the contact details of their local fire authorities at hand should there be a fire emergency.
Contact number
In case of an emergency please contact Overstrand Fire, Rescue & Disaster Management on 028 312 2400. Be sure to save the number on your cellphone and to teach it to your children.
Thank you
- The Fire Awareness Campaign Launch event was arranged by Working on Fire, together with the Overberg and Overstrand Municipality and fire brigade services, the South African National Parks, CapeNature, Community Development Workers and the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association.
SPREADING THE FIRE SAFETY MESSAGE The Kleinmond WoF team with other dignitaries in attendance (back l-r) Ray-yaan Majiet (WoF), Quinton de Swart (DEA - Dept of Environmental Affairs), Rudi Lucas (WoF), Angelo Aplon (Overstrand Assistant Fire Chief: Operations and Training, Juliana Bota (WoF), Rayganah Rhoda (WoF), Overstrand’s Deputy Mayor Elnora Gillion, Moses Manganye (WoF), Archie Klaas (ODM Deputy Mayor) and Albert Snyman (WoF) with the.
The Hawston Cadette Squad stands at ease as manager and drill commander Noel Dreyer and Irvin Sauls execute an ‘Inspection of the Troops’.
Kleinmond WoF members were treated to a visit by the ever-popular Danny Cat, the road safety mascot, enlightening them with information on road rules and regulations and fire safety.
The Fire Awareness launch was arranged by Working on Fire, together with the Overberg and Overstrand Municipality and fire brigade services, the South African National Parks, CapeNature, Community Development Workers and the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association. Also in attendance were Rudi Lucas (WoF), Lauren Howard (WoF), Quinton de Swart (Dept of Environmental Affairs), Juliana Bota (WoF), Angelo Aplon (Overstrand’s Assistant Fire Chief: Operations and Training), Cllr Elnora Gillion (Overstrand Deputy Mayor, Rayganah Rhoda (WoF), Ray-yaan Majiet (WoF), Moses Manganye (WoF), Albert Snyman (WoF) and Cllr Archie Klaas (ODM Deputy Mayor).