SOUTHERN CAPE FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (SCFPA)

FIRE MANAGEMENT UNIT (FMU) : DUIWENHOKS

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA : Vermaaklikheid Area

DISTRICT : Riversdale

MUNICIPAL REGION : Hessequa DM

ACTION PLAN – 1st DRAFT

Approval of ACTION PLAN

(Members up to 31/10/12)

MEMBER SIGNATURE

Wikus Oosthuizen

Rudolph Nel

C.J. Oosthuiizen

R + MJ Morris

J Brimble

G Oosthuizen

Duiwenhoks Plaas cc

L Munnik

J Stanbridge

C Giffard

CJ Cooke

P Andrew

Mineral Services SA Pty Ltd

R + M Hill

B Dower

Contents

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION and GENERAL INFORMATION OF FMU

BACKGROUND TO THE UNIT & FIRE HISTORY1.1 Back ground info of the FMU1.2 Boundaries of the FMU1.3 Landingstrips in FMU1.4 Veld ages

SECTION 2 MEMBERS and MEMBERS INFORMATION

2.1 MEMBERS and PROPERTY INFORMATION

2.2 MEMBERS AVAILABLE EQUIPMENT and WATER POINTS

2.3 REACTION TEAM

2.3.1 Protective equipment

SECTION 3 THE SOUTHERN CAPE FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (SCFPA)

3.1 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

SECTION 4 RISK ANALYSIS and RISK MITIGATION

4.1 CURRENT DANGER AREAS (HOT SPOTS)

4.2 STANDARD PROCEDURES

4.2.1 Fire prevention

4.2.2 Fire preparedness

4.3 RISK REDUCTION PLAN

SECTION 5 LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

5.1 FIRST AID

5.2 FMU equipment

5.3 Transport

5.4 Fuel

SECTION 6 FIRE FIGHTING POLICIES

6.1 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

6.1.1 Fire readiness

6.1.2 Procedure on Orange & Red days

6.1.3 Controlled Burns

SECTION 7 REPORTING OF FIRES

7.1 Incident Command Centre

7.2 Catstrophic Fires

7.3 Air Support

SECTION 8 ADMINSTRATION DURING and AFTER FIRES

SECTION 9 POST MORTEM and STATS

SECTION 10 HANDLING OF EMERGENCIES

SECTION 11 APPENDICES

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION and GENERAL INFORMATION OF FMU

This is the firts draft of the action plan for the Duiwenhoks Fire Management Unit (FMU). Please can you, as the member and land owner read this document and ensure all information is correct. If there is any changes please contact SCFPA representitive. As new members join, the info would be added and the action plan altered accordingly. Most of the land owners in the area discussed are all ready memebers of the SCFPA.

The unit consists of a area identified as the fire management unit (FMU). All membership are voluntary. The main aim of the unit is to avoid uncontroled burns in the FMU. If uncontroled fires do ignite the action plan guides the landowners to act accordingly until professional institutions like District Fire Services or Working on Fire teams do arrive to extinguish the fire. The unit acknowledge that the prevention of fires is the best tool to combat fires.

1.1) Background information of the FMU :

The properties that fall in the FMU consist of 5 main vegetation types – a) Albertinia Lowland and limestone fynbos with “Rietveld” included.

b) Coastal thicket (Isolated Milkwood patches included.)

c) Small patches of indigenous trees in valleys and between agricultural lands.

d) Infested Rooikrans forests/patches.

e) Agricultural lands (landerye).

ALIEN VEGETATION THREAT:

The Duiwenhoks FMU consists of large areas of ground that is covered by Rooikrans. This being an alien species and the property not being managed creates a very high fire risk in certain areas. Some land owners that are not permanently on the property also do not seem to understand the threat of overgrown alien vegetation to their own and the neighbor’s property.Many landowners have cleared large areas of their land, and are still busy with clearing and thus managing the land and the fire risk for that matter in a positive manner. FIRE THREAT:

As stated above the main fire threat is the vegetation type of the specific property. Most of the land owners that actively farm the property, being it for pastures/grazing, reed harvesting do routine burns to improve the ground. Most of these properties are well managed. The burning frequency of a property will be determined by the objective of the land use. Natural fynbos needs to burn on different frequencies, depending on region, slope, altitude etc. In the Duiwenhoks FMU the natural fire frequency for the fynbos should be between 10 to 12 years, depending on fynbos type.

EXISTING STATE RESOURCES

Access to fires is a major problem with the nearest fire engine from Eden District Fire Brigade being in Riversdale. It would be a minimum average of a 30 to 60 minute drive to reach most of the properties in the FMU. Mossel Bay Fire Brigade is a 40 to 90 minute drive from the FMU. Eden is contracted to supply Hessequa area with a fire fighting service, thus as far as

possible all support for the Duiwenhoks FMU will be sent from George if Riversdale falls short. The landing strip in Riversdale has been equipped with a fixed wing firefighting aircraft filling point. Riversdale airfield has been identified as a standby point for fixed wing aircraft and firefighting helicopters from the beginning of the fire season for 2012/2013.The fire season runs from 1/12/12 to 30/4/13

1.2) Boundaries of unit: (View Attached Google Map : e-mailed)(Not all landowners that falls in the boundaries mentioned below are members of the FMU yet)

NORTH : Brakkefontein 45/399, Rietlaagte 10/403.NORTH WEST:Brakkefontein 25/399.

(Northern Boundary – NB)

EAST : Gravel road running from north to south from farm 10/403 to main gravel road to Jongensfontein, and then straigt down on the western cadastral boundary of farm 1/565 (Strandloperfontein – non member)

(Eastern Boundary – EB) SOUTH : Indian Ocean

(Southern Boundary – SB)

WEST : Duiwenhoks river, including properties on western side of river – 7/475 and 6/475.(Western Boundary – WB)

1.3) Landing strips

Fixed wing - Riversdale, Still Bay, and Mossel Bay Airfields.

Helicopter pads (HP) – Riversdale, Still Bay and Mossel Bay Airfields.

(Various cultivated land close to ocean that is sufficient as HP)

1.4) Veld Ages

Properties on the coastal belt consist of mostly coastal thicket vegetation that is not prone to burning and not fire driven. Ages of this vegetation various from 2 years of age in disturbed areas where vegetation is re-growing up to 20 plus years of age in other areas.

On average the age of the fynbos vegetation is mostly from 1 years of age in areas of previous wild fire (2012), up to 10 to 12 years of age on well managed properties.However, vegetation ages differ from 2 months of age in controlled burned areas up to 16 to 20 years of age on certain properties. This old fynbos vegetation is extremely high risk areas due to increased fuel loads. In is not common in the FMU, although isolated patched of very of fynbos do occur.

To ensure the vegetation is ecologically maintained and stay as natural as possible, the optimum fire frequency for most of the fynbos vegetation in the FMU, should be between 10 and 14 year cycles.However, the farming practices on a specific property would determine the fire frequency. For instance, farmers burning for grazing would have a very shorter burning cycle to increase grass production.

SECTION 2 MEMBERS and MEMBERS INFORMATION

2.1) Members

OwnerSCFPA

No: Property Contact Number

CJ OOSTHUIZEN 395

2/403 Rietlaagte25+6/399 Brahfontein

028 755 8483082 540 2552

G OOSTHUIZEN 40510+6/403 Rietlaagte 45/399 Brakkefontein

028 755 8435082 824 6835

W OOSTHUIZEN 386 69+22/499 028 713 2955076 872 7630

R NEL 390 0/500 Blue Bells028 713 2441082 571 6600

R+MJ MORRIS 39373+76/499

San and Khoi de Baa021 790 5793083 381 4560

J BRIMBLE 40139+40/499

Buffelshoek Peak Trust021 685 3388083 638 8368

A DAVSONR MILLAR

OBERHOLZER 4086/475

Duiwenhoks Plaas cc

021 447 2491083 264 1468083 513 5696

L MUNNIK 412 9/499021 762 9312083 640 7600

J STANBRIDGE 41646/499

Paddahoek028 713 1924082 566 1724

C GIFFARD 41821/499

Melkhoutkraal021 788 1242082 440 3622

CJ COOKE 42847/499

The Kingfisher Trust021 788 2439082 612 4662

P ANDREW 42550/499 + 7/475

River Magic028 713 2930082 732 3003

J GURNEY 42649/499Mazepa

021 531 3162084 585 8043

R+M HILL 42781/499

Hadedda021 686 3201083 259 4615

B DOWER 458130+131/499(60+53/499)

021 506 5650083 655 7513

A+H BECKER 44219/496

Mosselbankfontein021 847 1724082 318 3022

Non members :

ONLY TO BE COMPLETED IN

FINAL ACTION PLAN

SEE INFO TABLE BELLOW

2.2) MEMBERS AVAILABLE EQUIPMENT and WATER POINTS

(WATER : Indicate Suction points: SP; gravitational water point: GW; Helicopter Filling point: HB; Hydrant water: WH; Quick fill/ Overhead: QF)Water points must be clearly indicated on map.

NAME : Owner Contact No: Trained Fire Fighters

Bakkie Sakkie

Water Unit

Fire Beaters

Nap Sack Pumps

2 Way Radios

GravitationalWater point(GW)

SuctionPoint (SP)

Helicopter bucketFilling Point (HB)

Responsible person / Land user :if not owner

CJ Oosthuizen 082 540 2552 1 2 0 6 2 0 0 0 Duiwenhoks Ocean

G Oosthuizen 082 824 6835 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 Duiwenhoks Ocean

W Oosthuizen 076 872 7630 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ocean

R Nel 082 571 6600 0 0 0 0 1 0 2x5000lt tanks 1x60000ltSubm.dam

Ocean

R+MJ Morris 083 381 4560 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 small dams

Small damOcean

J Brimble 083 638 8368 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 DuiwenhoksOcean

Duiwenhoks Plaas 083 264 1468 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 at cottages Duiwenhoks DuiwenhoksOcean

L Munnik 083 640 7600 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1xdam DuiwenhoksOcean

J Stanbridge 082 566 1724 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 DuiwenhoksOcean

C Giffard 082 440 3622 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 DuiwenhoksOcean

CJ Cooke 082 612 4662 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 DuiwenhoksOcean

P Andrew 082 732 3003 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 Duiwenhoks DuiwenhoksOcean

J Gurney 084 585 8043 0 0 0 0 0 0 Several 0 DuiwenhoksOcean

Alfred Mxhalise076 588 5887

NAME : Owner Contact No: Trained Fire Fighters

Bakkie Sakkie

Water Unit

Fire Beaters

Nap Sack Pumps

2 Way Radios

GravitationalWater point(GW)

SuctionPoint (SP)

Helicopter bucketFilling Point

Responsible person / Land user :if not owner

(HB) R+M Hill 083 259 4615 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Duiwenhoks

OceanAlfred Mxhalise076 588 5887

B Dower 083 655 7513 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 DuiwenhoksOcean

A+H Becker 082 318 3022 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 000lt 0 Ocean

2.3) REACTION TEAM (Permanent Landowners)

The reaction team is determined by the specific area where the uncontrolled fire starts in the FMU. The area is divided into the four main wind directions. There for there will be four reaction teams. The reaction team refers to the specific land owner and his farm workers, if he has any. Accessibility to many areas in the FMU is difficult due to topography and fencing, thus the reason for the four reaction teams to cover the FMU area effectively.

The reaction teams are responsible to be the first “eyes on the ground” and to act accordingly until firefighting services arrive on the scene. The role of an action team is to act preventative and inform the landowners/ responsible person of specific properties to prevent uncontrolled fires from spreading further. Follow procedures in section 7 – REPORTING OF FIRES.

REACTION TEAMS: The names below were selected due to the fact that you are a permanent landowner, or have a responsible person on the property.

NAME SURNAME PROPERTY (Owner) CONTACT NUMBER

Gerhard Oosthuizen

Brakfontein/Rietlaagte(45/399) (6+10/403) NORTH

028 755 8435082 824 6835

CJ Oosthuizen

Brakfontein(25/399) NORTH

028 755 8483082 540 2552

Dolph NelBlue Bells (Rietlaagte)(0/500) EAST

082 571 6600

Wikus Oosthuizen

Brakfontein(22/ 499) EAST

028 713 2955076 872 7630

Wikus Oosthuizen

Brakfontein(22/499) SOUTH

028 713 2955076 872 7630

Alfred Mxhalisa Mazepa(49/499) WEST 076 588 5887

John Stanbridge

Paddahoek(46/499) WEST

028 713 1924082 566 1724

Please add your info if you would like to form part of a reaction tea

CREW BOSS

NAME SURNAME PROPERTY / DEPARTMENT CONTACT NUMBER

Appointed by SCFPA or EDEN DM Fire Services as needed during uncontrolled fire.(Possible training for identified landowners)

FIRE BOSS

NAME SURNAME

PROPERTY / DEPARTMENT CONTACT NUMBER

EDEN DM Mossel Bay Municipality

George control room

Mossel Bay Fire Station

044 279 1415

044 606 5107

Compulsory training :Catagory Levels Refresher periods

Reaction teams Basic Fire Fighting Yearly.Crewboss/Crewleader CrewBoss/Crewleader

TrainingTwice per year (depending).

Fireboss Fireboss Training Every three years.

View appendix 1 for detailed information on training schedule for each catagory

2.3.1) Protective clothing:

Policy:

The reaction team personnel (FMU will decide on size of reaction teams) and the Crew Boss will be provided with protective clothing before any active firefighting takes place. Each landowner should supply his/her workers with the sufficient protective clothing.

Protective clothing must meet the minimum legal requirements (Boots, long pants and T-shirt or overall). All clothing must be made of 100 % cotton.

The clothing may be stored together with the other fire equipment, or can be issued to the reaction team directly. The clothing must only be worn during times of fires – members must ensure that this rule is strictly adhered. Clothing will only be replaced if the old clothing is shown to FMU Manager and he/she deems it necessary to replace. Records of clothing issued must be maintained together with the date of issue under each item for each member of the team.

SECTION 4 RISK ANALYSIS and RISK MITIGATION

4.1. CURRENT HOT SPOTS

Type General DescriptionAlien invasive

plants.

Alien invasive plants do have a higher biomass than most natural vegetation types and the presence thereof increases the fuel load. Increasing

the fuel load will result in fires with higher intensities, which will burn more frequently. Fires of this nature are also difficult to control and require

increased time, energy and water to extinguish the fire. ALL areas that have stands of HIGH DENSITY ROOIKRANS within this FMU are identified as risks.

Overgrown road

verges.

Roads are effective fire breaks on condition that they are not overgrown. Overgrown verges also increase the chances of ignition due to people

passing. Fire fighting activities become very difficult if verges are overgrown as fire-fighters face the risk of being trapped within a fire line, or

they cannot get close enough to the fire line to institute a back burn as a result of the excessive heat. This may also result in the fire jumping,

and could thereby close escape routes.

On farm level, overgrown road verges occur alongside roads to farm houses, buildings and workshops and should be cleared .

These routes are extremely important and serve as escape routes and routes to get access to fires.

Fynbos veld

older than 10

years.

Fire in fynbos vegetation is essential in order to regenerate and maintain diversity. If Fynbos burns too frequently or at too long intervals,

species may become locally extinct. Scientists recommend a frequency of 8 - 12 years in the FMU in order to ensure high levels of biodiversity.

Fynbos will be able to burn 5-7 years after the previous burn, depending on climatic conditions. As the age of the veld increases the risk of wild

fires will increase.

Overgrown

infrastructure.

This includes infrastructure eg: accommodation, workshops, stores, water tanks and other related water infrastructure, ESKOM power lines,

TELKOM line, staff accommodation, diesel and petrol tanks, chemical stores, sheds, cultivated lands and orchards as well as fire breaks. This

is applicable for the entire management unit.

Danger Points /Risks

Most areas where any human activity take place (farmworkers homes, picnic sites, next to public roads etc.) can be seen as a danger point.Areas with very old fynbos vegetation as well as dense rooikrans stands can be seen as danger points. It is very wide spread over the FMU, thus not all mapped in the FMU.The following areas has been identified as danger points (DP) areas :

DP 1 : Small settlement – mostly farm workers. (In town area).DP 2 : School area.DP 3 : Dried reedbeds on road to public jetty.

The following DP are not on the map – it covers areas wide spread in FMU boundaries :

DP 4 : Dried rooikrans leaves and branches left by wood collectors – surrounding town/settlements.DP 5 : Wide spread area of 3km radius around Vermaaklikheid town – very dense stands of overgrown rooikrans.DP 6 : Section alongside the main gravel road toward Still Bay – old fynbos patches with very high fuel loads.

4.2 STANDARD PROCEDURES (THIS IS GUIDELINES ONLY !!)

4.2.1 Fire prevention

Overgrown road

verges

The Provincial Road Engineer is responsible for clearing road reserve within a proclaimed road. All verges of internal and or demarcated

roads shall be brush cut / ploughed to at least 3 metre in width. Ensure enough areas to pull off exist. Must be done annually in.

Orchards, plantations

and other cultivated

lands

0 to 5m from the 1st row of trees clear all vegetation to 30cm max vegetation height;

5 to 10 m from the 1st row of trees clear of high vegetation (<1 m);

10 to 50m from the 1st row of trees clear of all alien trees (Windbreaks are seen as part of the orchard but must be cleared underneath);

Clear access roads to orchards, plantations and cultivated lands

Clear all other associated infrastructure (water tanks, pipe lines, water distriBUtion stations, water pumps, electrical infrastructure) from

burnable materials .

Plantations will be managed according to acceptable forestry standards as detemined by FSC.

Maintenance of

windbreaks

Windbreaks can be seen as part of the orchard however should be cleared underneath;

All trees must have cut off sections;

Keep access of at least 5m between the windbreak and the orchard.

Houses, stores,

workshops, sheds and

accommodation

facilities

30-50m from building cleared or less than 30cm in height of flame able material i.e. green lawns;

Gutters Clean of any combustible material;

Outside water taps with 30m hose with outlets on each face;

Braai areas surrounded by 20m of non-combustible material;

Emergency escape routes illustrated with emergency numbers available;

Chemical items stored according to legislation and fire extinguishers available. Listing of these chemical to be supplied to FPO and

location identified.

Diesel and fuel would form part of this ordinance.

Clear all access roads

Fire places and ash Provide fire places (cut drums) for staff accommodation. Provide drums to throw out warm ash from wooden stoves.

4.2.2 Fire preparedness

Action plan Action plan revised, updated including the veld age map, standby duty rosters and contact numbers. All staff members are

informed about the plan. A dry run completed and lessons shared and discuss between members, role-players and staff.

Tools and equipment Ensure that all tools and equipment are serviced, fully operational and ready to be used at any time.

Awareness Awareness materials available and place at strategic points.

4.3 RISK REDUCTION PLAN (2012 – 2012)

a) All gravel roads that serves as fire breaks should be maintained.b) Extremely high risk rooikrans patches identified and landowner to clear around area to isolate it.c) Local community informed of fire risk, policies and procedures and “fire wise” community supported.d) All holiday farms/accomodation inform guests of fire risk, policies and procedures.

Priority descriptions: 1. High priority – infrastructure at risk, high fuel load, possible lives lost. ( local community and town

area)2. Medium to High – veld age 3 years or older, fuel load to be reduced within the year and block

burning to be done.3. Medium to low – young veld 3 years or less, recently burnt, low fuel load.4. Low – short grazed pastures.

4.3.1) Existing Breaks:

The man made fire breaks have to be added by each land owner to this document. Please add the propperty number and the area(north/east etc) where fire break has been constructed – if any.All gravel roads will act as fire breaks as well as access roads to areas in the FMU.

Gravel roadsG1 =Heidelberg road that runs into Vermaaklikheid.G2= North of Vermaaklikheid coming from Riversdale.G3= Main road running from North to South past Vermaaklikheid to the ocean. G4= Main road running from West to East from Koensrust to Still Bay.G5= Secondary road running from South to North (to G6= Secondary road running from East to West from GR5 to GR2

Tar roadsT1= None

Buffer areasIrrigated pasturesIndigenous forest patches - mainly close to Duiwenhoks River and scattered valleys spread over FMU.

Natural Fire Breaks (NFB) Rivers:

NFB 1= Duiwenhoks River

NFB = Most areas of cultivated and harvested grain field act as a NFB break during summer season.

NFB = Fynbos veld of 3 years and younger (recently burnt), burns very difficult in most scenarios and can act as a NFB as well.

SECTION 5 LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

5.1 First aid, equipment and training.

At the moment there is no planned first aid training scheduled for the members and staff of the Duiwenhoks FMU. Please fill in on the form bellow if you have got a first aid kit or trained first aiders on your property.As training becomes available, the different FMU `s will identify individuals that could be trained as first aiders.

Name Property Contact number

A list of equipment in the first aid box must be present Date of issue must be indicated under each item

See Appendix 2 for Minimum Requirements for Contents of First Aid Box

5.2 Duiwenhoks FMU EQUIPMENTIf there is equipment purchased by the landowners to assist the FMU the following policy is used as a guide line:Policy: All FMU equipment remains the property of the FMU. The FMU equipment may only be used for fire suppression activities. The central store of the FMU must ensure that all compulsory equipment is always

available (see Table for prescribed minimum equipment) The serviceability of the equipment must be checked weekly in the fire season and

once a month in the winter. The responsible person identified must control equipment

(A central store and responsible person/s have to be selected/volunteered by the FMU members)

Responsible Person Central equipment store Contact Numbers

Minimum equipment per central store:

Item AmountBakkie sakkie (600l water) 1Fire beaters 10Rakhoes 5Knapsack pumps 4Long handle axes 1Petrol for bakkie sakkie pump 20lTorches 5Drip torch plus 20 liter mixture (40/60 petrol/diesel) 1

5.3 TRANSPORT

Policy: No member can claim transport costs from the SCFPA during times of fire. No member can claim transport costs from a FMU member, unless pre-arranged

with that specific member. If special trips are undertaken, (e.g. Collection of rations), approval must be

obtained from the SCFPA ExCo for claiming petrol costs. Members in this area will assist each other when fighting fires. Non- members will

be charged at the fixed tariff rate as determined by the FMU.

Duties Responsible Person Contact Numbers

Transport of the Reaction TeamG Oosthuizen – NorthD Nel – EastW Oosthuizen – SouthJ Stanbridge - West

082 824 6835082 572 6600076 872 7630082 566 1724

Transport of bakkie sakkie

Transport of other fire equipment Reaction teams

Transport of WoF teams Charl Wade 079 4855 320

5.4 FUEL

Policy: If members assist other members with tractor/vehicles then the assisted member

will re-fill the tractor with fuel. This principle also applies to help provided between FMU’s.

Members assisting each other have to discuss terms and conditions between themselves briefly before hand, to ensure all parties understand what and when he has to replace fuel, staff etc.

SECTION 6 FIRE FIGHTING POLICIES

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

6.1 Fire readiness

BEFORE THE SEASON FMU members to get together and discuss action plan and determine what is practically posible for them to be prepared for fire season. An updated list of resources available by members is very important.A fire readiness audit can be done – view appendix 3

DURING THE SEASON – FIRE DANGER INDEX (FDI)The FDI can be obtained on a daily basis by contacting the Riversdale fire station. (083 9411 653)The FDI must be strictly adhered to by members.

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION

Blue The fire danger is so low that no precaution is needed

GreenFires, including prescribed burns, maybe lit, used or maintained in the open air, on the condition that persons making fires take reasonable precautions against the fires spreading.

Yellow

The fire danger is of such a nature that no fires may be allowed in the open air except those that are authorised by the Fire Protection Officer where a FPA exists; or elsewhere by the Chief Fire Officer of the local fire service; or fires in designated fireplaces.

OrangeThe fire danger is of such a nature that no fires under any circumstances may be allowed in the open air. Ensure that equipment is ready.

Red

The fire danger is of such a nature that no fires under any circumstances may be allowed in the open and extraordinary readiness and response plans must be in place. Ensure that the Reaction Team and equipment are on alert.

6.2 PROCEDURE ON ORANGE AND RED DAYS

No open or controlled fires may be made. No rubbish may be burnt. Workers and their families must be informed – this is the responsibility of the

member. Normal work activities must be adapted for the current situation. WoF (where available) on standby. Members must let each other know and the FMU representative if they are going

to be absent from their properties and must provide an alternative contact person.

If a member is responsible for certain functions, he must delegate this responsibility to someone if he is not available and must inform the FMU representative.

Incorporate the above-mentioned in the farm rules.

6.3 CONTROLLED BURNS and GENERAL RULES RELATING TO THEIR MANAGEMENT

Types of Controlled Burns

Burning of natural veld (fire breaks and block burning).

Burning of stumps.

Rubbish dumps.

Burning of any farming land.

NO CONTROLED BURNS MAY TAKE PLACE WITHOUT A BURNING PERMIT

10.3.1 PROCEDURE FOR THE CONDUCTING OF CONTROLLED BURNS a) Construct sufficient fire breaks and access around the planned burning area. b) Contact Riversdale fire station for pre-burn inspection and burning permit

application form. The burning permit is valid for one year from the issue date.c) After inspection is completed and in order, fill in burning permit application form.d) Write down permit number. (on application form.)e) Call Riversdale fire station on day of burn. The officer will confirm the burning permit

and inform the person if it is appropriate to burn the specific day.f) Write down the number supplied by the officer as reference for that day burning

practices.g) If the scheduled burning is not completed on the same day, the officer has to be

contacted on the day the burning is planned to take place again and get a new reference number.

e) The fire officer will contact you after the burn to fill in the N.S.F.R.form.

RIVERSDALE FIRE STATION – 083 9411 653

Approved People who may Issue Burning Permits in the FMU

Name Contact Number

Eden DM – Riversdale fire station Brian Afrikaner : 083 9411 653Denro Frans : 083 9411 653

Eden controle room – if officers in Riversdale can not be contacted. 044 279 1415

7. REPORTING OF FIRES

All members of the FMU, and all non-members, should be informed on the process of reporting on fires. This ensure much faster response times and more effective fire fighting

1. See fire/smoke2. Inform the reaction team in that area. (2.3 – Reaction teams)3. Contact the fire department and determine if there are any controlled burns

scheduled in the area. If not report the fire. (Fire department – 044 279 1415)4. Inform the land owner of the property if possible.5. Inform SCFPA manager.6. Assist if possible.

7.1 Incident Command Centre

It is possible that a fire can get completely out of control and the local resources are not able to contain it. More resources are needed to fight the fire.(Helicopters, Bombers, Fire trucks, etc.)If it is necessary an Incident Command Centre will be identified and determined by the Fireboss. This is to have a central base from where the fire or fires can be coordinated and observed.

7.2 CATASTROPHIC FIRES (FIRES OVER FPA BORDERS)

The Fireboss, SCFPA or FMU representative and the FPO shall make contact with other representatives in the event of a fire becoming a threat to bordering FMU’s or FPA’s.

7.3 AIR SUPPORT

Policy Landowners/members may not request helicopters on their own unless they

are prepared to be responsible for the full costs (SCFPA cannot be held responsible for the costs)

Helicopters will only be deployed through the DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY.

8. ADMINISTRATION DURING and AFTER FIRES

Policy: The evaluation of the situation must be completed by the members involved as

per the standard requirements of fire reporting. The “situation report” must be compiled by the relevant committee involved in the

fire The FMU members must ensure that they identifies someone who will at all times

when there is a fire, keep record of all actions and decisions taken during the fire. Once the incident command system is in place and operational, this function will

be carried out by the I.C. structure.

8.1 HANDLING OF THE MEDIA

No-one other than the FMU representative or his/her delegate may make a statement on behalf of the FPA to the media during times of a fire.

9. FIRE POSTMORTEM and STATISTICS

Policy: A fire postmortem meeting should be held within two weeks of a fire with all those

who had been involved with fighting the fire. See appendix 4 below for a standard/set agenda for postmortem sessions.

Notice/Minutes - must be made available to the Chairperson within 10 days after the postmortem for discussion at the next EXCO meeting.

The necessary recommendations and changes to the action plan must be put into effect within 2 weeks subject to the approval of the FMU concerned.

Within a week after the EXCO meeting and approval of the fire report, the FPO must provide the report to DWAF.

This will take place after fires causing damage to property and infrastructure- not after ‘small’ fires.

10. HANDLING OF EMERGENCIES (ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES)

Person/Organization Name Contact Details

Fire Dept Brian Afrikaner 083 9411 653

Ambulance Riversdale 10177

Police Riversdale 10111028 713 8500

Riversdale Traffic Riversdale 028 713 7817

FPO Eden DM Fire Chief(Lester Smith) 044 279 1415

SCFPA Manager Charl WADE 079 4855 320

Fire Boss Nominated during fire

APPENDIX 1FIRE TRAINING COURSES

A. BASIC WILD FIRE SUPPRESSION

TARGET GROUPAll people that are or may be involved in veld fire suppression.

PURPOSETo empower people to combat veld fires efficiently and safely with the use of handtools

OBJECTIVESUnit 1 Basic safety at veld fires.Unit 2 Basic veld fire suppression.

DURATION2 days depending on specific needs.

PREREQUISITESAdequate level of physical fitness

B. BASIC FIRE FIGHTING FOR PROTOTEAMS

TARGET GROUPAll people that are or may be involved in veld fire suppression.

PURPOSETo empower people to combat veld fires efficiently and safely with the use of hand tools and specialised equipment

OBJECTIVES

Unit 3 Fire pump utilisation

DURATION2 days depending on specific needs.

PREREQUISITESMust have attended the basic wild fire suppression course.Adequate level of physical fitness

C. CREW BOSS

TARGET GROUPTeam leaders who are responsible for the management of a crew involved in veld fire suppression.

PURPOSETo empower a team leader to manage a crew involved in veld fire suppression.

OBJECTIVESUnit 1 Basic safety at veld fires.Unit 2 Basic veld fire suppressionUnit 3 Fire pump utilisationUnit 4 Radio communicationsUnit 5 Basic map readingUnit 6 Ground / aerial fire suppression co-ordinatorUnit 7 Strike attack leaderUnit 8 Crew management during fire suppression.Unit 9 Crew leader on a controlled burn.

DURATION7 to 10 days depending on specific needs and previous qualifications in fire control.

PREREQUISITESAn adequate level of physical fitness Capability to read and write one official language at ABET level 3 Supervisory capability and experience.

D. FIRE FIGHTING FOR MANAGEMENT

TARGET GROUPManagers who are expected to manage veldfires.

PURPOSETo provide the learner with the skills to command and manage fire suppression resources either as fire boss or sector boss.

OBJECTIVESUnit 18 Manage ground and aerial resources for veldfire suppression.Unit 19 Manage ground and aerial resources for the suppression of a medium to large veldfire.Duties of Fire Administration Officer.Duties of Fire Logistic Officer.

DURATION5 – 10 days

PREREQUISITESCompletion of crew boss course.

APPENDIX 2

MINIMUM CONTENTS OF A FIRST AID BOX

Item 1: Wound cleaner/antiseptic (100 ml)Item 2: Swabs for cleaning woundsItem 3: Cotton wool for padding (100 g)Item 4: Sterile gauze (minimum quantity 10)Item 5: 1 Pair of forceps (for splinters)Item 6: 1 Pair of scissors (minimum size 100 mm)Item 7: 1 Set of safety pinsItem 8: 4 Triangular bandagesItem 9: 4 Roller bandages (75 mm x 5 m)Item 10: 4 Roller bandages (100 mm x 5 m)Item 11: 1 Roll of elastic adhesive (25 mm x 3 m)Item 12: 1 Non-allergenic adhesive strip (25 mm x 3 m)Item 13: 1 Packet of adhesive dressing strips (min quantity, 10

assorted sizes)Item 14: 4 First aid dressings (75 mm x 100 mm)Item 15: 4 First aid dressings (150 mm x 200 mm)Item 16: 2 Straight splintsItem 17: 2 Pairs large and 2 pairs medium disposable latex glovesItem 18: 2 CPR mouth pieces or similar devicesItem 19: Burn shieldItme 20: Burn gell

APPENDIX 3

FIRE-READINESS AUDITSubject Complete

d (Yes/No)

Comments

1. Action Plan1.1 Updated during the last 12 months and meets SCFPA requirements. 1.2 Copy of plan circulated to all members of the BU (signed distribution list available)

2. Maps2.1 Map of SCFPA and FMU that includes all prescribed sections (as per action plan) 2.2 Maps distributed to all members of the FMU (signed distribution lists available)

3. Personnel and Training

3.1 All permanent personnel appointed as per FMU Action Plan (Reaction Team, Crew Boss, Fire boss, First Aid) 3.2 Personnel (as per 3.1) trained /Reacaped as per SCFPA requirements

4. Logistics4.1 Minimum rations (as per FMU action plan) available in FMU store4.2 Person/orginisation appointed responsible for the stores and management of rations.4.3 Minimum first aid supplies and equipment (as per FMU action plan) available in FMU store4.4 Person/Orginization appointed responsible for the store and management of first aid equipment/supplies4.5 All Reaction Team members and Crew Boss in FMU have protective clothing (signed PPE register available)

4.6 Protective clothing meets minimimum legal requirements (as per BU Action Plan) 4.7 Minimum fire equipment (as per FMU Action Plan) available in FMU store4.8 Fire Equipment checked and tested for serviceability weekly during the fire season and monthly during winter gekontroleer en getoets vir diensbaarheid (signed inspections and tests logbook available in store)4.9 Person/Orginisation responsible for the store and management of fire equipment appointed4.10 Persons responsible for transport of reaction teams, bakkie-sakkie, WoF teams (where available) and fire equipment during emergency situations appointed 4.11Minimum quantities (as per FMU action plan) of fuel available in store (fuel for pumps and “drip torch”)4.12 Person/Orginisation responsible for the store and management of fuel appointed.

5. Awareness-Raising5.1 Physical examples/proof of awareness-raising actions within FMU5.2 Proof available of yearly inspections carried out on dwellings\houses of labour or other people staying on farms

6. Fire Readiness6.1 Annual (preferably during September) fire readiness exercises undertaken.6.2 Daily FDI predictions distributed to all FMU members

7. Controlled Burns7.1 Persons identified for the issuing of permits

7.2 Persons in 7.1 approved by ExCo7.3 Approved permits available for all controlled burns that took place during the past year

8. Administration after Uncontrolled Fires/Burns

8.1 Fire reports completed timeously and according to requirements for all uncontrolled fires in FMU 8.2 Post Mortem minutes available for all uncontrolled fires in FMU

SOUTHERN CAPE FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (SCFPA)

APPENDIX 4

POST MORTEM AGENDA

1 Identification of everyone present2 Overview of incidents 3 Discuss reporting of the fire 4 Discuss reaction times of teams 5 Discuss plan of action 6 Discuss the control of the fire 7 Discuss manpower8 Discuss equipment9 Discuss communication 10 Discuss accommodation if applicable 11 Discuss rations if applicable12 Discuss other role players involved 13 Discuss shortfalls 14 Discuss cause of the fire 15 Recommendations (Must include corrective actions) 16 General

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