GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) has handed over fire fighting vehicles and equipment to local municipalities within the district.
The value of the vehicles and equipment totals to R8 million. The handover was done on 18 May.
Natasha Peterson, communications officer for the SBDM, said the handover was done as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic under the Disaster Management Act.
"These vehicles and equipment will be used to increase the capacity of local municipalities in effectively fighting fires. As we approach winter, the occurrence of fires will increase which makes it imperative that local municipalities have enough fire vehicles to contain these fires," said Peterson.
Seven vehicles were handed over to four of the local municipalities, including one vehicle for SBDM. The other three local municipalities each received an allocation which they have used to procure vehicles and equipment.
Executive Mayor Eunice Kekana said veld fires can cause major devastation, especially in agricultural areas.
At the handover is Stephen Cook (SBDM firefighter), councillor Nomhle Gaga (SBDM mayoral committee member for infrastructure and community services), Executive Mayor Eunice Kekana, Jacob Pretorius, (SBDM firefighter), Theo Betha, (SBDM director: infrastructure and community services and Johannes Lukas (SBDM firefighter).
To reduce the devastation caused by veld fires, hazard fires and chemical fires the SBDM has provided the following:
- Dr Beyers Naudé and the Makana municipalities have each received two Ford Ranger vehicles fitted with skid units to the value of R1 206 928.
- Sarah Baartman District, Koukamma and Sunday's River Valley municipalities have each received one Toyota Hilux vehicle, fitted with a skid unit, to the value of R725 000.
- Blue Crane Route and Kouga Municipality have received an allocation of R1 467 840.
- Ndlambe Municipality has received an allocation of R909 360.
A fire skid unit, which all vehicles have been fitted with, is a complete self-contained firefighting apparatus. These skid units have a medium pump which will be able to assist in fighting small to medium fires.
Kekana said that these vehicles should be utilised with the utmost care to ensure that they will be able to provide quality service to our communities.
"In the past year, Sarah Baartman District has had a total of 15 fire incidents across the district. These fires cause destruction and a loss of income for farmers, and can also lead to the loss of lives. We need our communities and farmers to practice caution throughout the year and to report fire incidents," said Kekana.
Community members are urged to report fires and any other disaster to the Sarah Baartman District Municipality's disaster management toll-free number 0800 222 238.
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