Volunteer Wildfire Services
Volunteer Wildfire Services
Welcome
Volunteer Wildfire Services is a non- profit volunteer organisation that provides firefighting assistance to CapeNature throughout the entire Stellenbosch Municipal area, Somerset West, Strand, Paarl and Gordon’s Bay; as well as to SANParks in the Cape Peninsula.
The Jonkershoek Station was founded in June 2009 and has grown by leaps and bounds, as each year we recruit more members to our ‘Yellow Family’. Our volunteers are on call 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to assist CapeNature with fighting wildfires in the Cape Peninsula, Boland and Overberg areas. Our volunteers give freely of their time and energy to fulfil the vision on the VWS. Most have day jobs, some are students, others run their own companies – but all are dedicated, motivated and highly-trained. Steadfast in their commitment to combat the threat to our environment and water catchment areas.
Why is VWS so important?
Each year wildfires sweep through our mountains and reserves, and although an important and necessary part of the ecosystem, fires are becoming increasingly frequent and devastating. As the recdent fires in Cederberg and Franschhoek will attest. In the Boland the threat of too frequent wildfires takes on new gravity, in that preserving a stable and diverse Fynbos ecosystem is critical in managing the run-off which forms the backbone of the Western Cape’s water supply. This precious system is under threat.
January and February this year saw VWS JNK deploy more than 50 volunteers from our Jonkershoek and Newlands Station to assist at the fires in Cederberg ,Franschhoek and Banhoek. During this time, JNK Operational hours added up to 1568 man hours, that’s an impressive number considering that our first FIRECALL went out on the 25th January!
What We Do
The VWS has three primary functions:
- Wildfire suppression services
- Education and awareness programmes
- Wildfire suppression and management training
Report a Fire
From Landline: 107
From Cellphone: 021 480 7700
Funding
As a completely Non Profit Organisation the VWS remains operational by receiving funding from corporate and organisational partners as well as individual donors. We also initiate our own fundraising projects, like the popular Trail Challenge, the Awareness Day at our Jonkershoek Base and Open Day at our Newlands Base. This vital funding allows us to continue to manage ourselves independently.
We are always on the lookout for additional funding that will allow us to further serve the community. See How to Help.
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 & Mechanical Services
- Administration and Member Services
