FSA Proposal for Holding of an Inaugural
“National Forest Fire Awareness Workshop”
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1.
Background
Although the National Forest Protection Strategy has been drafted and approved by DAFF, it
would appear that no co-ordinated action on the fire front in terms of the Strategy has, or is
being done. The problem would appear to be that (a) the Strategy is collecting dust at DAFF
and, more importantly (b) we as an Industry do not have a specific champion or structure
that deals specifically with “Fire” issues that can co-ordinate and present a unified voice on
fire related issues on behalf of the Industry.
The possible need for such a structure has been raised through the receipt by FSA of a
number of requests from members for its assistance with the development of Industry-wide
initiatives such as fire awareness campaigns, the standardisation of fire reporting
mechanisms and the creation of a web-based fire reporting database.
Given the above, both FSA’s General Committee and Executive Committee at their
respective meetings in August 2012, leant support to FSA investigating the possibility of
establishing a Working Committee, consisting of the Industry’s fire experts, run maybe under
the auspices of FSA, to become the “voice” of Industry on fire related matters.
This document has been put together by the Operations Director following discussions with
various people and with the assistance of Ian Henderson, the Chairman of the KZN Fire
Protection Association and Tiaan Poole of Saasveld.
2.
Current Situation
2.1
Structures
There are numerous FPAs operational across forestry areas and because of their location in
these areas, they are generally well resourced and well run. Above these local FPAs,
Umbrella FPAs exist which are demarcated along Provincial lines (e.g. KZN FPA and the
Mpumalanga Umbrella Fire Protection Association). Although not yet formed, discussions
are underway to create a National Umbrella FPA. In addition to the above structures,
Working on Fire plays an important role in fire fighting activities across the country and
particularly in forestry areas.
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2.2
Industry Representation on Current Structures
Although the structures mentioned above do not focus their activities solely for the benefit
of the Forestry Industry obviously, representation on these bodies by members of the
Forestry Industry is extensive.
2.3
Problem
Despite the excellent participation on these structures by Industry representatives, because
the Industry does not have a unified position / voice, there are certain issues (but not all)
that ideally should be handled in a consistent manner across local and provincial boundaries
but which are currently not.
3.
Recommendations vis à vis Establishment of Industry “Fire Committee”
Due to the already extensive participation of the Industry in the existing local FPAs and
Provincial Umbrella FPAs, the idea of simply going ahead and creating a fire related Working
Committee under the auspices of the FSA to articulate the Industry’s voice, is not supported
as this would simply lead to a lot of duplication of effort which would be both a waste of
time and resources.
However, in recognition of the fact that there may well be merit in creating a forum where
Industry related fire issues are debated at a national level so as to establish consensus
thereon, it is proposed that an inaugural “National Forest Fire Awareness Workshop” be
held early in 2013. In terms of this, the following is recommended:
 Convenor: FSA would convene the inaugural workshop.
 Invitees: The following participants would be invited to attend the workshop:
 FSA members (operational fire staff)
 Provincial Umbrella and local FPAs
 WOF
 DAFF
 Saasveld & Stellenbosch
 ICFR
 Individual Forest Fire Specialists
 Initial Agenda Item: The very first issue to be decided upon is to determine the need (or
otherwise) for the holding of subsequent workshops and, if agreed, to explore the
possibility of holding an annual workshop to dovetail with Saasveld’s Annual “Fire
Symposium”. Such a workshop could be held either a day before or day after the
Symposium. This, from both a logistics and cost point of view, would make sense.
 Other Agenda Items for Discussion: Although not an exhaustive list, the issues for
discussion could include the following:
 Administrative issues (e.g. future conveners, secretariat, participants & funding)
 Issues of national concern such as the following:
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Climate change
Radio licences
Fire reporting
Fire Danger Index
Aircraft availability
Awareness campaigns
 Common approach vis à vis operational fire equipment & fighting guidelines and
procedures
 Legislative and regulatory matters
 FPA related matters
 Fire related education and training issues (e.g. unit standards / qualifications)
4.
Way Forward
As it is proposed that the initial workshop be convened by FSA, the above proposal will be
tabled for discussion at the upcoming FSA General Committee meeting which is to be held
on 13th November. Should the members support the proposal, it will be tabled at the
subsequent FSA Executive Committee which is to be held on 22nd November 2012.
Roger Godsmark
Operations Director
Forestry South Africa
Pietermaritzburg
8th October 2012
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