1. Introduction and scope Click to expand

   Fire is a hazard in our community. Its consequences include the threat to the lives or health and safety of people, environment and property.
   This Association is not intended to replace Fire Authorities or take on responsibility for individual homeowner’s property.
   The Association will, so far as is reasonably practical:

   1. Provide passive and active fire prevention in a fire emergency;
   2. Provide relevant information to residents and affected visitors, at a fire scene, until the arrival of the authorities.
   3. Act promptly when aware of a fire in Suiderstrand.

2. Practical Fire Safety Arrangements Click to expand

We undertake to:
1. Maintain the Fire trailer in a working condition;
2. Make the Fire trailer available to a trained member in case of a fire;
3. Ensure members are familiar with how to work the equipment via training provided at the local fire association, as well as with printed instructions;
4. Try to secure the fire scene in the event of a fire, in as far is it is safely possible, and in line with our legal abilities to do so;
5. Erect an information board at a central location in Suiderstrand, mapping roads and hydrants.

3. Planning Click to expand

Planning activities are:
1. The Association will undertake quarterly inspections of the Suiderstrand Fire Hydrants (as authorised by CAM in the July 2022 Council meeting) - See Addendum A.
2. Mapping vulnerable community members that may require help in a fire emergency.

4. Organisation And Control Click to expand

Members must:
1. ensure they are familiar with the emergency plan;
2. know and co-operate with the other members;
3. report any concerns about fire safety;
4. be familiar with all escape routes;
5. be aware of actions to be taken on discovering a fire, hearing a fire alarm, for raising the alarm and calling the fire and rescue service;
6. act in accordance with the emergency plan, not put themselves and others at risk, NOT attempt to extinguish a fire unless they have been specifically trained;
7. co-operate with fire authorities in charge of the fire scene.

5. Monitoring Click to expand

1. This plan will be periodically reviewed for relevance and effectiveness.

6. Fire Emergency Plan Click to expand

The following procedure should be followed when attending a fire scene:

1. Ensure that the fire has been reported to the Bredasdorp Fire Department on 028 425 1690 and Disaster Management Call-centre on 076 604 8183;
2. Alert the community via the WhatsApp SOS group;
3. Contact the fire group members on the “Brandwaentjie Groep”. Members available to assist must contact Unknown immediately or Schalk if Unknown isn’t available.




4. The Fire trailer weighs over 1 ton with water, and a suitable vehicle should be used to tow it.
   Please remember - before towing, retract support legs.
5. On arrival at the scene, ensure that you are parked in the right direction to escape immediately in case the fire changes direction and you need to move quickly. (For example: in Lagoon Road, turn at the circle and park facing Seemans Ave). (Refer to Map on side of Brandwaentjie. On all road indicated in yellow you must first turn around to face entrance before commencing fire fighting.)
6. The water load makes the trailer unstable, and it can easily be overturned when towing. Please do not take corners quickly when towing and be cautious when stopping, braking and accelerating.
7. Do not turn off your vehicle when at the scene, as intense heat can interfere with starting, and you may not be able to get your vehicle started if you need to evacuate.
8. Meet at the fire scene, do a risk assessment and start working on it.
9. Your own safety is more important than containing the fire.
10. A minimum of 2 people are needed to operate the fire trailer. At least one trained member to operate this trailer.
11. Operating instructions are attached to the trailer.
12. It is recommended that members should use the following:-
1. - Smoke masks
2. - Eye protection
3. - Gloves
4. - Closed shoes ONLY, preferably leather
5. - Cotton clothes with long pants and long sleeves
13. The trailer must be cleaned and left ready for use after each event, per the procedure below.




Starting Procedure & Post-Fire Procedure Click to expand



7. What To Do When You See A Fire Click to expand

1. Raise the alarm:
2. Call the Bredasdorp Fire Brigade to report the fire on 028 425 1690 and Disaster Management Call-centre on 076 604 8183.
3. Notify the Association (“Suiderstrand SOS” WhatsApp or Unknown Unknown).
4. Alert the community via the WhatsApp “Suiderstrand SOS” group.
5. Put all pets on leashes or in pet carriers inside your vehicle for evacuation.
6. Where appropriate close windows and doors on the way out.
7. If there is time, switch off the stove, disconnect and remove gas bottles, switch off electricity at the Mains DB Box.
8. Assist disabled or elderly residents as required.
9. Leave the building by the nearest exit – not forgetting pets.
10. Do not stop or return to collect personal belongings.
11. Ensure visitors are escorted from the building to the assembly point.
12. You must remain at the assembly place.
13. Return to the building only when authorised to do so.


NB: The Public Parking at the beach is the Assembly point in Suiderstrand

Contacting the Emergency Services Click to expand




Emergency Services Liaison Procedures Click to expand

Who will liaise with the emergency services on arrival?	Anyone of the volunteer fire fighter group not actively fighting fire. Nominate on day via “Suiderstrand SOS” group.
What information would the emergency services need?	Location of fire, wind direction, severity of situation, any houses/people in danger
How will the person, identified above, direct the emergency services to the emergency?	Meet at entrance of Suiderstrand / send PinDrop to 076 604 8130 / supply address
How will the emergency services be able to identify this person?	WhatsApp prior to arrival of emergency services
Notify liaison immediately when anyone is missing and where they were last seen / use “Suiderstrand SOS” Group

Specific Information for the Emergency Services Click to expand

Emergency services need to be given specific information such as:
1. Type of emergency
2. Location of the fire / incident
3. Missing persons
4. Flammable LPG bottles (gas bottles)
5. Location of high-risk areas
6. Any unusual activities such as building works or temporary structures
7. Wind factor - direction

Escape Routes & Fire Hydrant location Click to expand




Assembly Points Click to expand



• The parking lot at the beach at Suiderstrand / public toilets or ablution block.

Identify Persons Especially at Risk Click to expand

All residents should be aware of the environment around their property
and think of who may need assistance, including lone workers, visitors,
contractors, pets whose owners are at work, elderly and disabled people.


Please notify a fire-association member or firefighter to help these people/animals.

Example Fire Safety Maintenance Checklist