Launch of Madibeng Fire Protection Association
Launch of Madibeng Fire Protection Association
28 February 2008
published by www.kormorant.co.za
South Africa — The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in collaboration with Madibeng Local Municipality and other sector partners will launch the first Fire Protection Association in the municipal area on Tuesday 4 March at the old town hall.
Fire Protection Associations (FPAs) are voluntary associations that may be formed by land-owners to prevent, predict, manage, and extinguish veldfires under the National Veld & Forest Fire Act, No. 101 of 1998. Annually uncontrolled veld fires cause serious damage to property, livelihoods and the environment. Lives are lost almost every year in veld, forest, and mountain fires with people in rural areas suffering enormous damage to grazing land, live-stock and homesteads during some fire seasons.
The event will be used to officially launch the Madibeng Fire Protection Association and to raise awareness on the impact of veld, forest and mountain fires. It is envisaged that through this association the Madibeng Local Municipality will be able to manage the spreading of veld and forest fires in a more structured way in accordance with the act. The department invited all farmers in the Brits area to enquire about the association and how they can benefit from being a part of it. The launch will be held from 9:00 to 12:00.
