What is the aim of the local Fire Protection Association

A Fire Protection Association, or FPA, is a legislated entity in terms of the NVFFA (National Veld & Forest Fire) Act 101 of 1998 and is responsible for the co-ordination and implementation of Integrated Fire Management strategies within its area of operation, incorporating landowners / land-users into its membership.

To date, there has been good progress with the registration of FPAs within KwaZulu-Natal. However, the appointment of full-time Fire Protection Officers (FPOs) remains a major hurdle within the FPA environment. Most FPAs do not employ dedicated staff, but are largely dependent on volunteers and well-resourced members to support their ongoing functioning and sustainability. While the NVFFA does not intend FPAs to be formed where the costs of the association are greater than the benefits derived by its members, it is important that ALL landowners (inclusive of local and district government) participate in the structure of the FPA to ensure that the key duties, responsibilities and objectives of the FPA can be achieved for the benefit of the broader community. The funds raised through membership fees will assist in co-ordinating the effective implementation of integrated fire management principles, in turn ensuring the overall fire safety with the FPA area of operation.

FPAs are generally established within municipal boundaries to collect and collate data which will assist in predicting, preventing and managing wildfire risks in the defined area of operation. As noted, funding of FPAs is primarily sourced from membership subscription and staffed by a volunteer Executive Committee and a volunteer Fire Protection Officer. In some instances, FPAs are in a position to employ a full-time FPO, which makes a credible difference in the day-to-day operations. Hence, it is of utmost importance to subscribe as a member to your local FPA.

FPAs facilitate the implementation of Integrated Fire Management principles through the prediction, prevention and suppression of wildfires by pooling resources. FPAs are focused on the achievement of the following objectives:

· To inform and train the community on the risks of fire, to ensure that fire prevention and planning is used; 

To ensure planning and resources are in place to proactively ensure that communities within the FPA area of operation are appropriately protected;

· To ensure that fire suppression is co-ordinated and effective;

· To ensure that minimum equipment and personnel standards are met or exceeded;

· To ensure that landowners are educated about forest and rural fire prevention;

· To implement a personnel fire-fighter training programme for the benefit of all members;

· Provide quality maps to volunteers / fire wardens to assist them in their work;

· To facilitate a radio network covering its area of operation;

· Establish relationships and management systems with sister agencies (such as provincial government departments, commercial forestry and local government fire services) to provide good working relationships and to ensure that appropriate levels of hazard reduction are achieved;

· Manage and co-ordinate all veld and forest fire suppression operations in its area of operation;

· To develop joint development control arrangements with local municipalities.

FPAs can and have formed provincial Umbrella Fire Protection Associations which ideally operate within the provincial boundaries and which are aligned to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.

The formation of UFPAs has hugely benefited local FPAs through shared resources and services. Contact Vryheid FPA on 034 982 1882 or 083 769 0467 to find out more.

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