Fire Act in the spotlight

Emergency and rescue services, including Joburg’s EMS, are reviewing the Fire Brigade Services Act, as it is outdated and no longer satisfies modern requirements.
A TWO-DAY consultative process to review the Fire Brigade Services Act is taking place, and Joburg’s emergency management services (EMS) is giving its input among peers from other municipalities.

The Fire Brigade Services Act is under scrutinyThe Fire Brigade Services Act is under scrutinyAccording to Percy Morokane, the EMS media liaison officer, the Act no longer satisfies the needs of a comprehensive fire and emergency services in the country.

EMS is part of a group of stakeholders, including emergency services from other major cities in Gauteng and private sector fire institutions, meeting at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. Consultations began on 22 August and end today.

“South Africa faces increasing levels of fire risks which are manifested through increases in life, property and financial losses. In most instances it is the vulnerable within our communities that are affected the most and for the longest period,” Morokane says.

“Statistically, 1,20 fires per 1 000 citizens occur annually with rates slightly above the international norm of 1,08 fires per 1 000 citizens. However, internationally, the number of deaths related to fire is 1,6 persons per 100 000 citizens (2006) with South Africa ranking seventh with 4,6 deaths per 100 000 citizens. Globally, one person perishes per 100 fires,” he says.

In South Africa, he adds, the fatality rate is four times the international trend.

The distribution of fire related deaths is not uniform across the age groups. Those in the zero to four years and 25 to 35 years age groups are particularly vulnerable to fire. Men are more vulnerable than women.

Destruction

Modern methodsFires can be a grave danger despite modern ways of firefightingOver the millennia, fires have taken countless lives, caused unprecedented financial and infrastructural loss, and in some instances nearly destroyed cities, he says.

“The great London fire of 1666 and the Chicago fire in 1871 attest to the destructive potential of accidental fires. These and other large fires around the world in recent history have spurred governments to develop strategies to adequately manage the fire risks in an attempt to prevent fires from destroying cities.”

Strategies include the introduction of building regulations, using non-flammable building materials, setting up fire brigades and civil protection systems. In South Africa, many people live in informal settlements, which are constructed with any material imaginable, most of which are highly flammable.

Traditional dwellings in rural areas are built with grass roofs, close together; as a result, fires easily spread from these structures to fields and homes.

“Adding to the fire risks is the continued use of open flames to cook food, heat water for washing and heat the dwelling in winter, and burning candles to provide light,” he says.