We’re ready for a busy 2020/21 fire season. And we know you are too.

Here’s what you should know, now that we’re in the fire season:

In the Overberg:

• Operational vehicles and fire services personnel are on season standby.
• Working on Fire teams are also on standby; one team is based at Bredasdorp, and 2 additional teams from NCC Environmental Services and Enviro Wildfire Services can be brought in if needed, with multiple resources from Volunteer Wildfire Services available.
• 24h Fire Control room number: 028 425 1690

In the Overstrand:

• Operational vehicles are on standby.
• The Working on Fire team on standby is based at Kleinmond.
• The Overberg District Municipality and the Overstrand Municipality assist each other with resources as and when required.
• 24h Fire Control room number: 028 312 2400

Aerial Resources:

A helicopter and spotter plane are based at Bredasdorp from 1 December to end April. The aircraft could be used in the rapid initial attack. Additional resources can be contracted.

• The Fire Chiefs have a limited budget which they can use at their discretion for initial attack. The high-risk planning, which was completed during the winter months, will assist in the decision-making.

• Landowners are encouraged to speak to their brokers to obtain the necessary insurance cover, in order to cover additional aerial firefighting costs.

   

Costs:

FLY RATES (INCLUDING VAT):
Spotters: R 4 662 per hour
AT 802 SEAT: R 30 432 per hour
Helicopters: R 36 122 per hour
ASV (R/km): R 27 per km
Black Hawk:  R 73 140 per hour

Aerial support – What you must do:

Download the aerial assistance request form here. This form can be completed in advance.

Ensure your insurance is in place (you may wish to include ‘fire suppression insurance’ as well as ‘risk of spread insurance’).

You MUST give written permission BEFORE we send aerial support.

Mop-up operations – Your responsibility:

Once the fire has been extinguished, landowners are responsible for the mop-up operations on their properties. The first 24-72 hours are crucial to ensure fires don’t flare up again.

Landowner – are you going away?

• Have a responsible representative present on, or nearby your farm throughout the festive season. If you aren’t home, please make sure the person responsible is present, and in regular contact with you.
• Also let your neighbours know if you’re not at home, and give them the contact details of the person who is manning your property while you’re away.
• NOTE: The emphasis is on the first hour. We put all our resources into putting the fire out in the first hour. Thereafter we determine the best strategy, based on the fire’s location and immediate threats.
• Should a fire start on your property, or threaten your farm, please get in touch with the fire department IMMEDIATELY. For the Overstrand, phone: 028 312 2400; or the rest of the Overberg: 028 425 1690. Quick action is vital this year.

#Covid19

Fire-fighting in a COVID-19 environment:

If one fire-fighting crew member becomes infected with COVID-19, there is a high risk the entire crew and other fire-fighters may become infected and be quarantined. To reduce these risks, the goFPA has compiled a response plan to veldfire suppression during the pandemic, setting out your responsibilities.

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT

Make sure your home has defendable space.

Here’s more on what we mean.

Contact us if you have any questions: Louise, Pieter and Keith: 063 690 7899