Shared resources between members with regards to fire fighting equipment which results in Fire Management Unit’s being better equipped and resulting in a cost saving for individual members.
Firebreaks are not needed on the cadastral boundaries. Realignments can be negotiated between landowners and exemptions can be applied for by members of the FMU’s resulting in a more practical and usable firebreak system. This will result in a cost saving for members by not having to prepare firebreaks on all the cadastral boundaries.
Increase in the conservation benefit within the landscape due to the minimization of the number of firebreaks. This will reduce potential accelerated erosion and disturbance to natural veld and forest.
Increased awareness and management of Social, Environmental and Economic risks
Increased coordination in the event of a fire
Reduction of fire related risk by various means eg: fuel load management
Fire management plans compiled for Fire Management Units (FMU’s)
Members are automatically affiliated to the Western Cape Umbrella FPA which liaise with National, Local Government and parastatal structures
Assistance in the event of extreme fire conditions through the provision of Trained Fire Fighting teams and Management
Training for new members in Basic Veld Fire Fighting
Additional training can be arranged by the SCFPA at a considerably reduced cost
Awareness campaigns are initiated, which include the establishment of a website
Provision of a platform with which to raise issues with local and provincial government structures
Provision of administrative support to FMU’s thereby reducing costs for units
The SCFPA is the mechanism to gain support from Working on Fire and other government initiatives
Access to international funding if available e.g GEF and the World Bank
Reduced incidence of fires
Enforcement where necessary in incidences where members and non-members do not comply with legislation
Members adhering to the rules of the SCFPA will automatically comply with legislation (The SCFPA rules can be found under the 'DOWNLOADS' tab)
The “presumption of negligence” clause in the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 101 of 1998
34. (1) If a person who brings civil proceedings proves that he or she suffered loss from a veldfire which-
(a) the defendant caused; or
(b) started on or spread from land owned by the defendant, the defendant is presumed to have been negligent in relation to the veldfire until the contrary is proved, unless the defendant is a member of a fire protection association in the area where the fire occurred.
Indirect (intangible) benefits of SCFPA membership:
The interaction and extension services with different landowners will result in an increased in awareness with regards to the risk of fire and the consequences of uncontrolled fire to both property and infrastructure.
Reduced fire risk due to planning and better response times
Biodiversity benefits by instituting better fire management practices
Provision of inputs into government policy and decision making will be achieved through involvement of the executive committee.