📊Fire Management Strategy

What is Integrated Fire Management?

“Integrated Fire Management (IFM) incorporates different fire management activities in a strategic framework to reduce the overall impact of unwanted wildfire damage and promote the beneficial use of fire.

A clear and shared understanding of Integrated Fire Management is key to the success of engaging all stakeholders involved in fire management. Globally and locally there are several definitions and frameworks for understanding Integrated Fire Management. Most of these revolve around a similar group of functions organised in slightly different ways.” – A Guide to IFM, FYNBOSFIRE

Go to “A Guide to IFM Handbook” Page

Prevention is better than Supression – NEFSFPA

NE FS FPA: Veldfire Management Strategy: (To-Do for Landowners)

February: (Prep Season)

  1. Identify vulnerabilities and risks in the area.
  2. Update your Fire Plan and categorize Fuel Load in the area and the current state of the Firebreaks.
  3. Plan a Fuel Load Reduction Strategy, should it be Mowing, Slashing, Burning, etc.
  4. Pastures may be Burnt if the Fire Danger Index is favorable..
  5. Continue weed and alien control operations.

March: (Prep Season)

  1. Start with Fuel Load Reduction.
  2. Start making Chemical Firebreaks.
  3. Finalize on Firebreak plan and agreement with adjoining Neighbors end Sector Leaders.
  4. Update Contact Details of all Landowners and Neighbors.
  5. Check and Maintain fire fighting equipment and PPC, PPE.
  6. Estimate if your Insurance are in place.
  7. Understand your Accountability in terms of the National Veld & Forest Fire Act 101 of 1998.
  8. Put in Protocols and Agreements with N3TC, ESKOM, Local Municipalities, Cellphone Companies, etc.
  9. Attend to the Annual General Meeting.

April: (Prep Season)

  1. Pay FPA Membership Fees.
  2. Check and Maintain 2-Way Radios.
  3. Start making Mechanical Firebreaks around Workers houses, Houses, Structures etc.
  4. Have safe Dumping Sites where fire cannot start from.
  5. Does your fire fighting equipment meet the Minimum Requirements of the FPA Rules & Regulations and your Fire Risk?
  6. Is your fire fighting equipment in a working condition and Serviced?
  7. Familiarize yourself with the rules of the FPA as well as contact details and assistance procedure.
  8. Familiarize yourself with the working of the Fire Danger Index and procedure.
  9. Train your workers.
  10. Make sure that Water resources are in place.
  11. Remove loose hay in the field and secure.
  12. Secure homes and sheds depending on fire risk.
  13. Attend to the Sector Meeting.

May: (Firebreaks Season)

  1. Make Sure FPA Membership fees Are paid.
  2. FDI will be sent out daily to the FPA WhatsApp Announcement Group.
  3. Start with making of Firebreaks.
  4. Prioritize where you are going to start firstly.
  5. Rules of the Fire Protection Association are very important.
  6. Burn firstly around workers residence, secure main residence, hay, etc.
  7. Make firebreaks around pastures which will be burnt in the POST Season.
  8. Activate Fire Awareness Campaigns and Scout/Watchout for Fires.
  9. Give PPC(Personal Protective Clothing to Personnel)
  10. Working on Fire to be put on standby for the next 5 months from 15 May.
  11. Working on Fire can be arranged to assist in making Firebreaks and/or strategic firebreaks.
  12. Make sure that All members are informed about the WoF Call-out Procedure.
  13. Attend to Sector Meeting.

June: (Firebreaks Season)

  1. Burn prescribed firebreaks.
  2. Check progress on Firebreaks with N3TC, ESKOM, Local Municipalities, etc., and report to FPA.
  3. Have regular inspections of equipment.
  4. Make sure Water Resources are full.
  5. Get the FDI Daily on the FPA WhatsApp Announcement Group or on the Website.
  6. Landowners and Institutions must make sure about standby of personnel and equipment and vehicles.
  7. Attend to Sector Meeting.

July: (Firebreaks Season)

  1. Start to Finalize and Finish Firebreaks.
  2. Obtain inspection certificates from ESKOM regarding the condition of power lines, poles and supports.
  3. Do daily and weekly inspection of fire equipment and PPC.
  4. Check water Resources.
  5. Get the FDI Daily on the FPA WhatsApp Announcement Group or on the Website.
  6. Compile a service and standby register.
  7. Put personnel on standby in week or weekend, depending of the Fire Danger Index.
  8. Attend to Sector Meeting.

August, September & October : (Fire Season)

Monthly Actions:

  1. No Firebreaks are allowed to make anymore: No Fires.
  2. Advise all personnel and members on protocols.
  3. Get the FDI Daily on the FPA WhatsApp Announcement Group or on the Website.
  4. Acquire and distribute standby register.
  5. Study weather information.
  6. Should a Veldfire occur:
    • Report the Fire Immediately to the FPA Group and over 2-Way Radio.
    • First Responder must provide a Size-Up Report, and must be posted to the FPA Group.
    • Send a Location pin onto the FPA WhatsApp group.
  7. The objectives for Fire Fighting:
    • Responder Safety.
    • Public Safety.
    • Structure and Asset Protection.
    • Suppressing the Fire.
  8. Post-Fire Actions: When a fire is contained the following needs to be done:
    • Relieve Actions – Animals that got injured, without fodder. Infrastructure needs repair.
    • Paper Work – Report to FPA for the Incident Report to be Complete:
      • (1) Loss of Life.
      • (2) Loss of Animals.
      • (3) Loss of Infrastructure.
      • (4) Loss of Vehicles and Equipment.
    • Debriefing – What happened and where can we improve?
    • Legal Actions – Report fires to SAP, and having Fire Protection Officer to open dockets where necessary. Land owners may claim for Damages.
  9. Attend to Sector Meeting.

      November, December, January: (Post Season)

      Monthly Actions:

      1. Pastures may be Burnt if sufficient rain has fallen, and if the Fire Danger Index is favorable.
      2. Start planning for weed and alien control operations.
      3. Start weed and alien control operations.

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