DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
PROPOSED FRAMEWORK ELEMENTS FOR VELDFIRES
Draft, 15 November 2002
REQUIREMENTS IN THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT BILL [NOW AN ACT]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The Disaster Management Bill requires the Minister of Provincial and Local Government to prescribe a
national disaster management framework, taking into account
a. any recommendations of the Inter-governmental Committee on Disaster Management, as to be
established by the statute; this Committee will include Cabinet members, MECs, and
representatives of organised local government, and is accountable and must report to Cabinet
on the co-ordination of disaster management among the spheres of government.
b. comments by the public.
The Bill is to establish a National Disaster Management Advisory Forum consisting officials of national
and provincial government departments, representatives of organised local government, representatives
of other disaster management role-players such as from organised business, the Chamber of Mines,
organised labour, traditional leaders, and other sectors; the Bill requires this Forum among other things
to make recommendations concerning the national disaster management framework to the Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management.
The Working Group on Fire is de facto a sub-committee of the Forum, advising the precursor to the
Forum (the IDMC [Interim Disaster Management Centre]) on veldfire management.
The Bill requires the national disaster management framework to provide a coherent, transparent and
inclusive policy on disaster management appropriate for the Republic as a whole.
The framework is to reflect a proportionate emphasis on disasters of different kinds, severity and
magnitude that occur or may occur in southern Africa, and place emphasis on measures that reduce the
vulnerability of disaster-prone areas, communities and households.
In addition it is to:
a. guide the development and implementation of disaster management envisaged by this Act;
b. establish prevention and mitigation as the core principles of disaster management;
c. facilitate:
i. South Africa’s co-operation in international disaster management;
ii. regional co-operation in disaster management in southern Africa; and
iii. the establishment of joint standards of practice;
d. give effect to the application of co-operative governance on issues concerning disasters and
disaster management among the spheres of government and
i. determine the relationship between the sphere of government exercising primary
responsibility for the co-ordination and management of a disaster in terms of sections
26(1), 40(1) and 54(1) or (2) and the spheres of government performing supportive
roles;
ii. allocate specific responsibilities in this regard to the different spheres;
e. guide the development and implementation of disaster management within national, provincial
and municipal organs of state on a cross-functional and multi-disciplinary basis and allocate
responsibilities in this regard to different organs of state;
f. facilitate
i. the involvement of the private sector, non-governmental organisations, traditional
leaders, technical experts and volunteers in disaster management
ii. community participation in disaster management; and
iii. partnerships for purposes of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) between organs of state and
the private sector, non-governmental organisations and communities;
g. facilitate disaster management capacity-building, training and education, including in schools,
and provide incentives for such capacity-building, training and education;
h. promote disaster management research;
i.
guide the development of a comprehensive information management system;
j. take into account indigenous knowledge relating to disaster management;
k. provide a framework within which organs of state may fund disaster management with specific
emphasis on preventing or reducing the risk of disasters, including grants to contribute to postdisaster recovery and rehabilitation and payment to victims of disasters and their dependants;
l. address the requirements for co-operation and co-ordination between the different spheres of
government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and communities; and
m. provide key performance indicators in respect of the various aspects of disaster management.
The National Veld and Forest Fire Act
7.
The National Veld and Forest Fire Act provides for a comprehensive system for veldfire management in
South Africa, with its principal provisions being:
CHAPTER 2: FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATIONS
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Formation of fire protection associations

Registration of fire protection associations

Duties of fire protection associations

Fire protection officers

Financial and other assistance

De-registration of fire protection associations
CHAPTER 3: FIRE DANGER RATING
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Fire danger rating

Communication of fire danger rating

Delegation of powers and duties
CHAPTER 4: VELDFIRE PREVENTION THROUGH FIREBREAKS

Duty to prepare and maintain firebreaks

Requirements for firebreaks

Firebreaks on borders of Republic

Exemption from duty to prepare and maintain firebreaks

Exemption from prohibitions on damaging plants
CHAPTER 5: FIRE FIGHTING

Readiness for fire fighting

Actions to fight fires

Agreements for mutual assistance
8.
9.
10.
11.
The provisions for Fire Protection Associations (FPAs) provide for voluntary local organisation among
owners of land for collaborative veldfire management.
The fire danger rating system is to be a tool for early warning of dangerous veldfire conditions as well as
for the planning of veldfire management.
Chapters 4 and 5 are the basis for statutory minimum requirements for the prevention of wildfires in
areas at risk from wildfires.
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has developed and is applying a systematic programme
for the implementation of the Act and the regulations to support it, including:
a.
An approach based on the integrated management of veldfires as a basis for managing the risk
that they constitute, where there is such a risk; this means that the Act must be applied where
the level of veldfire risk justifies its application, but not otherwise;
A broad risk assessment is being used to classify all local municipalities and metropoles
according to veldfire risk; this is to guide the implementation of the Act and to set priorities for
the establishment of FPAs
A systematic approach to facilitating the establishment of FPAs as the principal institutions for
veldfire management is supported by a well defined business process and a standards
guideline for the FPA business plan (plan to fulfil the duties set out in Section 5 of the Act), this
latter incorporating a veldfire risk management standard as the basis for the development and
application of the veldfire management strategy for an FPA area (Section 5(1)(a) of the Act),
supported through pilots in seven regions through the Working on Fire programme;
Short-term research to develop fire danger regions, to choose among available models or
formulae to calculate fire danger indices, the definition of fire danger ratings, and the threshold
index values for the ratings for each fire danger region;
Policies to support the implementation of each chapter of the Act
Supporting information systems
Training of functionaries.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Fitting veldfire management into the National Disaster Management Framework
12.
13.
Table 1 outlines linkages between the requirements for the National Disaster Management Framework
and the National Veld and Forest Fire Act with the instruments being developed for its implementation.
The draft table of contents that follows below indicates how the veldfire component of the National
Disaster Management Framework could be formulated, as a basis for discussion.
Draft table of contents for the national framework for veldfire management
1.
Introduction
Outline of the approach to the veldfire management framework. Linkage with other policy instruments, such as the
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, IDPs [integrated development plans], the National Action Programme
to Combat Land Degradation, bioregional conservation plans, etc.
Veldfires as an environmental management problem and the integrated veldfire management approach.
2.
National veldfire risk assessment
Municipality-level veldfire risk classification and map. Identification of low-risk areas not requiring statutory veldfire
management. Linkage with national disaster vulnerability atlas.
Summary of overall risk levels and assets (social, economic, environmental) that are vulnerable.
Outline of capacity to manage veldfires.
3.
Minimum standards for preventing and combating veldfires
Firebreaks, personnel and equipment etc (Chapters 4 and 5 of the Act); linkage with national risk assessment,
framework for local determination of minimum standards within FPA business plans.
4.
The national fire danger rating system
Delineation of danger rating regions; linkage with risk mapping (no danger rating regions required in region with
low risk).
Definition of five categories of danger. Designation of fire danger model for calculating indicator values (index).
Determination of threshold indicator values for each category for each danger rating region.
5.
Fire Protection Associations
Guiding schedule for establishment, according to priorities from the national risk map.
Outline of standards in guide to the FPA business plan. Includes requirements for property level integrated
veldfire management plans as well as the communal management plan of the FPA.
Outline or procedures and roles and responsibilities for formation and registration of FPAs and registration of
FPOs [fire protection officers].
6.
Management, coordination and partnerships
Guidelines for incident management.
Guidelines for incident co-ordination.
Roles and responsibilities: statutory, in the FPA, others.
Etc.
7.
National information systems
The Veldfire Information System and the Fire Protection Association Registration Management System
(FPARMS). Upward cascading of information from FPA annual reports. Linkage with local, provincial and national
Disaster Management Centres.
8.
Veldfire research
Outline of DWAF, Working on Fire research programme. Possibility of Innovation Fund.
9.
Training and education
Roles and responsibilities.
Curricula and standards.
Service providers.
10. SADC and Africa
An outline of current and future international activities such as the Regional Subsahara Africa Wildland Fire
Network (Afrifirenet), initiatives in SADC [Southern African Development Community] and NEPAD [New
Partnership for Africa’s Development]; implications of SADC Forestry Protocol and other SADC agreements.
Outline approach for working through SADC, NEPAD.
11. International
Linkage with international agreements, e.g. UNCCD [United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification],
UNCBD [United Nations Convention on Biodiversity].
An outline of current and future international activates, e.g. links with the Global Fire Monitoring Centre, an
Activity of the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)
12. Monitoring, evaluation and improvement
Key Performance Indicators:
At national level, KPIs in terms of:
implementation timetable
establishment of FPAs
management of catastrophic veldfires
compliance
Etc.
At the local level, the FPA business plan guide will contain KPIs.
Minister's Annual Report
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Definition of all relevant terms.
Table 1. Linkages between the requirements for the National Disaster Management Framework and the National
Veld and Forest Fire Act with the instruments being developed for its implementation.
Component of the National Disaster
Management Framework
Reflect a proportionate emphasis on disasters
of different kinds, severity and magnitude
Place emphasis on measures that reduce the
vulnerability of disaster-prone areas,
communities and households
Guide the development and implementation of
disaster management
Establish prevention and mitigation as the
core principles of disaster management
Facilitate South Africa's co-operation in
international disaster management
Facilitate regional co-operation in disaster
management in southern Africa
Facilitate establishment of joint standards of
practice
Co-operative governance: determine the
relationship between the sphere of
government exercising primary responsibility
for the co-ordination and management of a
disaster and the spheres of government
performing supportive roles
Co-operative governance: allocate specific
responsibilities in this regard to the different
spheres
Guide the development and implementation of
disaster management within national,
provincial and municipal organs of state on a
cross-functional and multi-disciplinary basis
and allocate responsibilities in this regard to
different organs of state
Facilitate the involvement of the private
sector, non-governmental organisations,
traditional leaders, technical experts and
volunteers
Facilitate community participation
Possible treatment for veldfire management
To be addressed in overall framework, not in veldfire framework.
Provided for in the national veldfire risk assessment, Chapters 4
and 5 of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, and in FPA
business plan guide (risk management). Need guide for areas
outside FPAs
Provided for in the national veldfire risk assessment, Chapters 4
and 5 of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, and in FPA
business plan guide (risk management).
Provided for in the national veldfire risk assessment, national fire
danger rating system, minimum standards in Chapters 4 and 5 of
the National Veld and Forest Fie Act, and in FPA business plan
guide (risk management).
An outline of current and future international activates, e.g. links
with the Global Fire Monitoring Centre, an Activity of the UN
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)
An outline of current and future international activates such as
the Regional Subsahara Africa Wildland Fire Network
(Afrifirenet), initiatives in SADC and NEPAD; implications of
SADC Forestry Protocol.
Needs an outline approach for working through SADC, NEPAD.
Will provide clarity on respective roles at national, provincial and
local DMCs [disaster management centres].
Will provide clarity on respective roles at national, provincial and
local DMCs
Needs co-ordinating statement/specification for DM, Fire
Services, FPAs
Provided for through FPAs and detailed in FPA business plan
guide, as well as umbrella FPAs; all owners in an FPA are
eligible members (state compulsory); traditional leaders will be
thus drawn in where there is communal land.
Communities will be involved in FPAs as owners; FPAs are
Component of the National Disaster
Management Framework
Facilitate partnerships for between organs of
state and the private sector, nongovernmental organisations and communities
Facilitate disaster management capacitybuilding, training and education and provide
incentives for such
Promote disaster management research
Guide the development of a comprehensive
information management system
Take into account indigenous knowledge
relating to disaster management
Provide a framework within which organs of
state may fund disaster management
Address the requirements for co-operation
and co-ordination between the different
spheres of government, the private sector,
non-governmental organisations and
communities
Provide key performance indicators in respect
of the various aspects of disaster
management.
Possible treatment for veldfire management
required to provide management services, training and support
for communities in their efforts to manage and control veldfires
(Section 5(1)(h))
Provided for through FPAs and detailed in FPA business plan
guide, as well as umbrella FPAs
DWAF as the facilitator of standards development process for
fire fighting training; current communications and awareness
campaign to inform and educate public and role players;
requirements in the Act; role of Working on Fire. Incentivisation
through response of insurance industry, use of Poverty
Alleviation funds through Working on Fire, etc.
Will outline DWAF research and development policy and
programme; Working on Fire research; Innovation Fund;
overseas partners.
Veldfire IS [information system]
The consultations required for the formulation of the FPA
business plan will mobilise indigenous knowledge.
Financial support policy
Essential elements are set out in the Act. Need to set out
respective roles and responsibilities nationally, as well as at
provincial and local levels in a generic way; e.g. for the fire
danger rating system. Also provided for in the FPA business plan
guide.
At national level, will set out KPIs in terms of:
implementation timetable
establishment of FPAs
management of catastrophic veldfires
compliance.
At the local level, the FPA business plan guide will contain KPIs.