Volunteer Wildfire Services
The Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) have been combating dangerous and often deadly runaway fires since being baptised through the devastating fires in 1999 / 2000 in Cape Town.
With approximately 180 members at three stations (Newlands, Jonkershoek and the newly developing South Peninsula Station), the VWS is now a highly organised Section 21 Company that is gaining in reputation every year passing. The VWS has assisted the Table Mountain National Park and CapeNature as a first responder with some of the wildest fires Cape Town has ever experienced.
Working closely with other emergency service organisations in wild-land fire management such as Table Mountain National Park, CapeNature, Cape Town Fire & Emergency Services, Disaster Management, Winelands Fire Brigade, Stellenbosch Fire Brigade and Working on Fire has meant that the VWS has, to date, achieved over 39,000 active fire fighting hours between it’s members and stations.
The VWS will, with your support, continue with the goal of saving South Africa’s natural heritage, property and lives. To support us please click here
What We Do
The VWS has three primary functions:
- Wildfire suppression services
- Education and awareness programmes
- Wildfire suppression and management training
These primary functions form part of our Integrated Wildfire Management services which also include:
- Prescribed burning
- Education programmes and projects at schools
- Community projects
How We Operate
On standby to respond to fires and emergencies 24 hours a day for 365 days of the year – that’s how we work.
Our volunteers are just that – volunteers. They are extraordinary people who give of their time and energy to protect lives, property and our natural heritage. Most have day jobs, some are students, others run their own companies – but all are dedicated, motivated and highly-trained to ensure that our ultimate goal of wildfire suppression is taken care of.
Departments
There are various departments within the Volunteer Wildfire Services that operate dependently to ensure the smooth running of our unit. These departments include:
- Fire Fighters
- Drivers
- Control Room
- Planning and Mobile Command
- Logistics and Catering
- Technical and Mechanical Services
- Administration and Member Services
Funding
As a completely Non Profit Organisation the VWS remains operational by receiving funding from a few small corporate sponsors and organisational partners (Table Mountain National Park and CapeNature) as well as individual donors. We also initiate our own fundraising projects, like the popular VWS Trail Challenge, the Jonkershoek Fire & Fynbos Awareness Day and the Newlands VWS Open Day. This vital funding allows us to continue to manage ourselves independently.
However, to remain operational, we are always on the lookout for additional funding that will allow us to further serve the communities that are threatened by wildfires as well as protect our natural heritage and the whole of Cape Town’s water catchment area. To find out how to help, see the How to Help page.
For more information on this amazing organisation click here.
Source: Volunteer Wildfire Services – http://www.vws.org.za/