February 25, 2005
By Bafana Nzimande
NEW technology is being investigated to tackle runaway shack fires - using fixed-wing aircraft to bomb the blaze with non-toxic chemicals.
The technology, still in its trial phase, is being researched by Working on Fire, a national training organisation with three training bases in Gauteng. One is in Kenilworth, Johannesburg.
The group was set up in 2003 through various public/private partnerships to find ways to stop the rampant wildfires that ravage the countryside.
But it decided to extend its scope to runaway shack fires, which bring fear and destruction to informal settlements across the country. "Fires in informal settlements heap even more misery and despair on vulnerably accommodated families," says Val Charlton of Working on Fire.
Working on Fire hopes the bombing strategy will ease the pressure on firefighters on the ground. "We hope that this strategy will help firefighters in their quest to save more lives and property during runaway shack fires."
The bombing, from fixed-wing aircraft, stops oxygen from getting to the fire, allowing firefighters on the ground quicker access to the shacks. According to Charlton, this technique is more effective than dropping water on the fire from the air. A single aircraft is capable of bombing 2 000 litres of non-toxic foam on a blaze.
"The strategy is still in its trial phase," Charlton says. Depending on the results of the pilot project, Working on Fire will decide in April whether to extend the operations.
"We are confident that the project will be approved, so that we can deploy it nationally. Through this project, we are positive that the number of lethal fires in informal areas can and will be limited."
Part of the national strategy will be to develop early detection of fires using cameras. Charlton says South Africa has a shortage of more than 200 qualified firefighters, which has a negative effect on the country's economy.
According to Johannesburg's Emergency Management Services (EMS) media liaison officer, Malcolm Midgley, Johannesburg alone records close to 600 shack fire incidents per year.
"Every year, about 3 000 people are left homeless, while a maximum of 10 casualties, of which most are children and older citizens, are also reported due to runaway shack fires," Midgley says. Most of these fires occur in winter.
Although there were no casualties or injuries were reported during a fire in Alexandra at the beginning of February, that saw more than 40 shacks destroyed, more than 90 people were left homeless.
Midgley highlights the need to empower people on how to prevent fires. "Alexandra is one of the areas with the highest number of shack fires in Johannesburg," he says, adding that most are caused by candles or paraffin stoves being knocked over.
Working on Fire's primary function is to train local community members in firefighting techniques. Since its launch, it has trained more than 880 people from marginalised communities as part of a national strategy under the government's expanded public works programme.
"For the past 18 months, the organisation has made huge progress in rolling out integrated wildfire management across the country, empowering ordinary people with fire combating skills and providing people with employment opportunities," says Charlton.
The organisation operates through 40 networks nationally, with the three bases in Gauteng - in Carletonville, Sedibeng, and Kenilworth. They provide internationally recognised training. Much of the work is focused on the Western Cape, says Charlton, partly because of financial constraints and partly because Gauteng has "fewer incidents of wildfires compared with other provinces".
However, she adds, "if we can secure some financial backing, we will establish more fire bases in this province. Prevention is better than cure."
For more information about Working on Fire call 021 799 8116 or visit www.workingonfire.org.
Permission to use web site material
Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as:
- Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website
(www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency
(www.joburg.org.za)";
- If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original
article on this website;
- The name of the article's author is acknowledged;
-
The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill
in this brief online form).
Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 |
