The Betty’s Bay Volunteer Fire Fighters fall under and are supported by the Overstrand Fire and Rescue and the community. We work together and are in many cases the first responders to emergencies.
OUR MISSION
The volunteers are continuously training and upskilling themselves as they prepare for and respond to fire and rescue-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 ready to serve the community.
OUR LATEST REPORT
We are officially out of fire season, however, we are not ‘out of the woods’. Living in a fire biome we are always very aware of the dangers and have experienced some severe winter fires in the past.
WSAR:
Wilderness Search And Rescue – this is a collective effort coordinated by the Emergency Medical Services in the Western Cape and member organisations – recently brought a presentation to the Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay volunteers as part of our ongoing training & upskilling sessions. We have worked with them in the past during missing persons and mountain rescue assistance.
The volunteers recently underwent their fitness assessments, and we are happy to report everyone has passed in relation to their role within the volunteer organization – active firefighter or logistics support.
Although we have had to extend a sad farewell this season to some of our volunteers, we are happy to, soon, be officially welcoming new members to the volunteer family.
The ‘off-season’ is traditionally used for intensive training of new and existing crew and preparation for the next fire season. Should you wish to know more about joining either as an active firefighter or logistics support please contact JORIKA on 072 616 8418, you can chat about how YOU can help and possibly join a training session.
As volunteer fire & rescue we are not limited to fire response but also motor vehicle accidents, mountain rescue, missing persons and a host of emergency situations.
WINTER
Keeping warm and dry during the winter months is certainly not without its challenges and dangers.
CHIMNEY We encourage and recommend regular cleaning of chimneys, creosote build up can potentially cause chimney/house fires.
ELECTRICITY When multiple extensions and adaptors are used, extensions partially rolled up, extensions concealed under carpets etc. these situations can lead to overheating and potential fire.
GAS Heaters should be specified for indoor home use (not camping).
ARE YOU FIREWISE?
Winter is the ideal time to prepare your property and home and to become FIREWISE.
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
Until our next update, stay warm, dry and Fire Wise!
Report fire and emergencies immediately.
Always phone – no WhatsApp messages AND no WhatsApp calls
YOUR IMPORTANT NUMBERS – load them into your phone NOW!
028 312 2400 ALL Fire & Emergency – 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 WhatsApp (calls or messages) ONLY standard calls
SUPPORT THE VOLUNTEERS
If you would like to join or support in any way, please contact Jorika 072 616 8418
Should you wish to contribute funds or donations towards a fire & rescue emergency response vehicle you can deposit them into the following bank account:
Bank details:
Name: Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association
ABSA Bank: Hermanus
Account: 4066 616 439
Reference: FIRE + Your surname
N.B Please clearly mark the reference FIRE as BBRA are custodians for several organizations in Betty’s Bay and they need to allocate the funds accordingly.
FOLLOW US
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php id=100064379211431
Thank YOU for your ongoing support and donations.
Stay safe and be fire wise.