"A total of 220 (WOF) members have been trained. Six teams have been placed at va-rious fire bases throughout the district. This not only strengthens the regions fire response capacity but helps reduce the fire risk by preparing fire breaks and executing controlled burns to lessen the fuel load," said Eden District Mayor, Wessie van der Westhuizen, speaking at a special parading out ceremony. The first 20 professional firefighters from various local authorities in Eden district were trained in order to build their firefighting capacity. They will also educate Eden's communities about fire safety and fire awareness.
The training is part of the partnership formed between the Forest Fire Assosiation (FFA) group and the South Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA) in close cooperation with Eden and the WOF as part of the job creation programme by the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and is focused on integrated fire management.
Inevitable
Chairman of the SCFPA, Paul Gerber, said, "Fires are inevitable, they are going to happen sooner than later and we had better be prepared for them." He said one team would be based at the Eden's Fire Station in George, but that all six teams could be deployed if needed in an emergency to support the local municipality.
The parade took place at the Eden Fire Station in George, which is also the base where the 22 firefighters and one base manager, Melvory Jacobs, will be stationed.
Numerous noteworthy individuals attended and expressed their warm welcome including: Shane Christians - general manager of the WOF programme (Western Cape region), Clive Africa - executive manager of management services (Eden District), Gerhard Otto - manager of Eden Disaster Management, Henry McCombi - portfolio chairperson: Management Services (Eden), Wessie van der Westhuizen - executive mayor (Eden) as well as Paul Gerber - chairman of the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association.
Paul Gerber gave an extensive overview of the SCFPAs' activities in the Eden region and how integrated fire management is achieved. He also stressed the importance of partnerships for growth and success.
This new George team falls under the gui-dance and management of the SCFPA and is a welcome addition to their current five teams, two teams based in Riversdale and Goudveld and one team based in Crags.
- George Herald
