Winelands FPA March 2021 News
Winelands Fire Protection Association and the Franschoek Neighbourhood Watch collaborate.
Over the fire season the fire suppression operations in mountain fires above Le Roux have required the deployment of aerial fire-fighting resources, helicopters and associated support vehicles.
These Resources are very expensive to operate and are irreplaceable. It has been noted with growing concern the amount of community members, adults and children alike, descend on the area when helicopters are landing and taking off. The management of the landing zone falls under the responsibility of the operations AIR BOSS and so a, first in the district, solution was initiated together with SAPS, CPF and WFPA. The motto FIRE IS EVERYONES FIGHT rings true when the entire community can play a positive role in the management of wild fires.
On the 4th of Feb the Winelands Fire Protection Association facilitated a Landing Zone awareness presentation with the Franschoek Neighborhood watch. In attendance were the chairpersons and members of the various neighborhood watch teams, The Winelands Fire Protection Association (WFPA) manager and district Air Boss, Franschoek WPFA incident response coordinators Joseph Boonzaaier and Ashley Bauer. The group was given a presentation on how to ensure the safety of the landing Zone prior to the aircraft arrival and area safety during takeoff, landing and re-fueling operations. We look forward to a safe operation going forward in the Franschoek area.