Removing the presumption of negligence simply by being a member of an FPA provides a compelling reason to join an FPA. It is for this reason that insurance companies will often grant a rebate on premiums for those who are members of FPAs.
Added to that, landowners have to comply with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act whether they belong to an FPA or not.
FPAs help their members to fulfil their legal responsibilities by providing advice and guidance on how to reduce the wildfire risk. FPAs also help members by coordinating activities before, during, and after fires, and over the period of the fire season.
Shared Resources: Members benefit from shared firefighting equipment, resulting in cost savings for individuals.
Firebreak Realignments: Negotiations for realignment of firebreaks can be facilitated through firebreak agreements.
Firebreak Exemptions: SCFPA members can apply for firebreak exemptions, facilitated by SCFPA. Applications from non-members will not be considered.
Conservation Benefits: Minimizing the number of firebreaks increases conservation benefits, reducing potential accelerated erosion and disturbance to natural veld and forests.
Risk Management: Enhanced awareness and management of social, environmental, and economic risks.
Improved Coordination: Increased coordination during fire events ensures efficient response and management.
Risk Reduction: Various methods, such as fuel load management, prescribed burns, alien invasive plant control, and fire breaks, are employed to reduce fire-related risks. These services are available to SCFPA members at a subsidized rate.
Fire Management Plans: Comprehensive fire management plans are developed for Fire Management Units (FMUs) in collaboration with FMU members.
Affiliation with Western Cape Umbrella FPA: Members are automatically affiliated with the Western Cape Umbrella FPA, which liaises with national, local government, and parastatal structures.
Emergency Assistance: Provision of trained firefighting teams and management during extreme fire conditions at a subsidized rate for SCFPA members.
Training Programs: Basic veld fire fighting training is provided for new members at a subsidized rate, with additional training available at reduced costs.
Fire Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives to raise awareness about the risks of uncontrolled wildfires among members and the public.
Advocacy and Representation: A platform for raising issues with local and provincial government structures, including the Western Cape Umbrella FPA, National Umbrella FPA, SCFPA Executive Committee, Western Cape Aerial Firefighting Workgroup, and Western Cape Veldfire Workgroup meetings.
Support Negotiations: SCFPA negotiates support from Working on Fire and other government initiatives.
Access to Funding: Potential access to external funding due to SCFPA’s Non-Profit Company (NPC) status.
Increased Awareness: Raised awareness leads to a reduced incidence of fires.
Compliance and Reporting: Non-compliance is registered and reported to local authorities such as SAPS, local and district fire services, and disaster management.
Legal Compliance: Members adhering to SCFPA rules will automatically comply with legislation, including the “presumption of negligence” clause in the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 101 of 1998. This clause presumes that an FPA member is not negligent, placing the onus and cost of proving negligence on non-FPA members.
Legal and Investigation Costs: Non-members face considerable costs, including attorney and specialized investigation fees, to prove negligence against a member.
Enhanced Awareness and Interaction: Increased awareness among different landowners about fire risks and the consequences of uncontrolled fires on property and infrastructure.
Improved Response Times: Better planning and response times reduce fire risk.
Ecological Integrity: Implementing fire as a biodiversity improvement tool enhances ecological integrity.
Government Policy Influence: Involvement in the executive committee allows SCFPA to provide inputs into government policy and decision-making processes.
And Partners
