FIRE FIGHTING AND FIRE SAFETY<\/p>\n
Fires do the following<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fires destroy lives and property;
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fires has no respect for class or status;
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fires has no respect for the time of day \/ night;
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0In general \u2013 fires destroy and needs to be prevented and combated \u2026<\/p>\n
Veldt fire AWARENESS<\/p>\n
90% of all unwanted fires are caused by humans and negligence. The following can assist in awareness programs:<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Know where the danger areas are
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Know the danger season
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Understand the local conditions (veldt density, typical weather conditions, etc)
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0What is going on around your property \u2026
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Be aware of wind speeds and other weather conditions (SA Weather Services)
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Educate your staff and communities
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Educate your visitors and guests (especially guest farms \u2026)
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Who is living next to you<\/p>\n
Veldt fire PREVENTION<\/p>\n
Remember that prevention is better than cure \u2026<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Provide educational material for your staff. (Legal requirement) {internet, local library, govern-ment, etc \u2026}
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Don\u2019t allow unsafe tasks to be executed
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Hot work and grinders
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Rubbish fires to be at safe areas and to be extinguished
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Open fires and braai\u2019s to be extinguished \u2013 disposal of hot ashes
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fire breaks to be extinguished and patrolled at least three hours after extinguished
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Electrical connections
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Flammable liquids \u2013 storage and handling
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0General household around houses and buildings \u2013 keep clear of combustible materials and flammable liquids
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Remove dead grass \/ plants that can cause a fire hazard
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Stacking procedures \u2026<\/p>\n
Veldt fire PREPAREDNESS<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Form emergency teams \u2013 own staff and neighbours (fire fighting, medical, radio, \u2026)
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fire fighting equipment like fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, skid units (bakkie sakkies)
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Maintenance and services of these equipment
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Regular checks and drills with staff
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Monthly inspections and logs to be completed
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Planning for actions such as burning of fire breaks
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fire breaks \u2013
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Moderate weather,
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Notice to neighboring land owners (at least 2 weeks)
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Standby fire fighting teams and equipment<\/p>\n
Fire breaks should be \u2013<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Made in such a way that it would stop a reasonable fire
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Not causing erosion (refer back to act)
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Be reasonable free from material that can cause the fire to spread<\/p>\n
Veldt fire RESPONSE<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0ALL fires start small \u2013 immediate and effective response can save lives and property
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fire teams to deal with fire
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Backup teams to take over and relieve the first crews \u2026
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Emergency response plans
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0S.O.A.R
\u2013\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Size up
\u2013\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Objectives
\u2013\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Activities \/ Actions
\u2013\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Responces
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Command and control
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Radio network (communications) amongst fire fighters and command
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Communication to local authorities (Fire, SAPS, ambulance, Disaster Management, SANDF, etc)
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0One person in overall command with \u201cIncident Command System\u201d in place<\/p>\n
Some practical tips \u2026<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Do not allow to many people in the area
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fire fighting teams should work short shifts (40 min)
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Approach the fire from the sides and try to narrow the front of the fire
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Narrow against natural breaks like roads, rivers, etc
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Place fire fighting teams strategically \u2013 even far ends from the fire to combat fires started by wind
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Make fire breaks during the fire \u2013 {equipment}<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FIRE FIGHTING AND FIRE SAFETY Fires do the following \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fires destroy lives and property;\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fires has no respect for class or status;\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Fires has no respect for the time of day \/ night;\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0In general \u2013 fires destroy and needs to be prevented and combated \u2026 Veldt fire AWARENESS 90% of all unwanted fires<\/p>\n