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Date : 09/12/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Dowry: Western Cape govt contributes towards fire-fighting helicopter


STATEMENT BY COBUS DOWRY, WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ON PAYMENT OF R1,8 MILLION TO THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN AS THE PROVINCIAL CONTRIBUTION FOR A STAND-BY FIRE-FIGHTING HELICOPTER

The Western Cape has a fair share of annual emergencies. Bush fires, flooding, droughts, oil spills, train wrecks, and mountain rescues have all been recent challenges for the people and communities of the Western Cape. There is a firm responsibility on both local and provincial government to be prepared and I am pleased that, through initiatives like the sponsorship of a standby helicopter, we are building a joint capacity to anticipate and address fires in the current high-risk fire season.

For the fourth year in a row the provincial government is involved in the sponsorship towards a standby helicopter at the Newlands Forest Station dedicated to the Peninsula Mountain Chain, the Cape Metropolitan area, the West Coast, Boland and Overberg district municipalities. The provincial contribution towards this helicopter is R1,8 million. In the last fire season (1 December 2002 to 31 March 2003) the helicopter has been utilised at 27 fires and in total 90,9 hours were flown.

Fire fighting in mountainous terrain and dense veld and forests poses many obstacles to fire fighters. The availability of water and lack of access to these areas necessitate the dire need for alternative fire-fighting methods. Previous fires highlighted the need for and usefulness of helicopters in combating runaway mountain and veld fires. The rapid application of water via heli-buckets and deployment of staff via helicopter assisted to a large extend in the successful and effective extinguishing of these fires.

In order to give perspective the following must be mentioned and is an indication of the amount of fires our emergency services have to deal with. These are fires in the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003:

Boland District Municipality
* 325 Veld and forest fires
* 35 Structures

Central Karoo District Municipality
* 4 Veld and forest fires

Eden District Municipality
* 21 Veld and forest fires
* 1 Structure (hotel)

Overberg District Municipality
* 875 Veld and forest fires
* 133 Structures

West Coast District Municipality
* 1 Mountain fire
* 33 Structures

City of Cape Town
* 5357 forest, grass and refuse fires
* 2193 structures (excluding vehicles)

It is, as always, necessary to recognise and thank all the fire-fighting personnel for their total dedication and commitment, which sometimes exceeds the call of duty. We also want to honour all those who died or were injured in the line of duty whilst serving their communities.

The Provincial Government of the Western Cape is proud of our involvement in this extremely important tool to assist the province, the City of Cape Town and the surrounding District municipalities in our endeavour to improve the standard of fire fighting services and disaster management in the Western Cape.

Enquiries: Jan Bosman, 083 775 5312
Issued by: Ministry of Local Government, Western Cape Provincial Government
9 December 2003

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