The Betty’s Bay Volunteer Fire Fighters as a group fall under and are supported, to an extent, by the Overstrand Fire and Rescue. We work very closely together and are in many cases the first responders.
OUR MISSION
The volunteers are continuously training and upskilling themselves as they prepare for and respond to fire related emergencies, protecting people, property and the environment, by fostering a progressive and responsible team approach to planning, education, and hazard prevention with a professionally trained, dedicated, and compassionate group of volunteers.
OUR COMMUNITY
Betty’s Bay lies within the buffer/ transitional zone of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom which is home to the highest concentration of plant species on the planet. It has three times as many plant varieties as the Amazon rainforest and 70% of its 9,600 plant species grow nowhere else on Earth. BUT……it is also a flammable ecosystem that needs to burn to survive. This makes it a high risk area for wild fires. Betty’s Bay, Rooi Els and Pringle Bay were the first Firewise communities selected in South Africa.
Residents and visitors need to be constantly aware of the important do’s and dont’s regarding fire prevention and fire preparedness. Our community has a joint responsibility to do everything it can to protect our 13km town and surrounds from fire danger and to reduce the impacts, should a fire occur.
ARE YOU FIREWISE?
Hopefully you’ve used the long, cold, wet winter to fire-wise your property. Follow this link to download the Fire Wise Booklet which is full of great tips and important information: https://bettysbayratepayers.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WCG-Wild-Fire-Ready-Booklet-13082020-.pdf
OUR FIRE PLAN
In the event of the inevitable have you got a plan? What about a ‘Go Bag”? Will you stay or will you evacuate? Attached at the end of this newsletter is a full page ‘Fire Plan’. Please print it, read through it, answer the questions, chat with your family – those that live here AND those that don’t. Put it up on your fridge or at any obvious place in your house. It’s IMPORTANT!
KNOW YOUR IMPORTANT NUMBERS
028 312 2400 ALL Fire & Emergencies. Yes, you can use this number to report a fire, an accident or ANY emergency.
028 313 8980 Fire reporting
072 616 8418 Betty’s Bay Fire Volunteers – NO whatsapps (calls or messages) ONLY standard calls
SUPPORT THE VOLUNTEERS
If you would like to join us, please contact Jorika on 072 616 8418.
Should you wish to contribute funds or donations towards our needs you can deposit into the BBRA bank account.
Bank details:
Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association
ABSA Bank (Hermanus)
Acc: 4066 616 439
Ref: FIRE (+Your surname)
N.B Please clearly mark the reference FIRE as BBRA is the custodian for several organizations in Betty’s Bay and they need to allocate the funds accordingly.
FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php id=100064379211431
Thank you for your ongoing support and donations.
Stay safe and fire wise.
Jorika Rabie