Fire Break Presentation:

Purpose of Presentation:

žTo highlight the need for fire breaks in certain times of the year.

žWinter months – Dry and windy.

žAn outline of how and when the fire breaks will happen.

žWhat will be needed for the fire breaks.

žIt includes a budget, which will give us an outline of what it will cost us to prepare these fire breaks.
Overview of Presentation:

žBackground of the Operation

žNecessity of the Operation

žAreas Affected

žNecessity of Capital at stake

žEquipment Available

žPersonal Available

žVehicles Available

žTime Span
žOverview on fire Preparation Plan

žGeneral Overview

žPhase1- Planning

žPhase2 – Preparation

žPhase3 – Implement

žPhase4 – Clean and Return Equipment

žPhase5 – Debrief

žLogistics

žFinances

žQuestions

žPossible Suggestions

Background of the Operation:
žCertain precautions have to be taken against fire in the Winter times, due to the dryness of this particular season – high risk for fires.

žIt is necessary to create a barrier against fire, that is why fire breaks are incorporated. We also clear the bushes around the infrastructures for more safety

žEvery area that esquires a fire break needs its own plan, because they have different requirements.

Necessity of the Operation:
žIt creates a safe environment for staff members and guests.

žTo create sufficient fire breaks and to effectively control a fire that may occur.

žThis minimizes the risk of Chalets and Makhato Houses burning down.

žThis in a way Protects our veldt from other fires crossing our borders.

žThis can possibly safe a lot of animal’s life as well as plant species.

Areas affected:žThe Areas that are most effected are:

1.Makhato Houses

2.Chalets

3.SSB

4.The farm itself as a Nature Reserve

Necessity of Capital at stake:žValue of the main complexes:

1. Makhato Houses 80 x R2 million per house = R160 million.

2.• Chalets 59 x R1 million per chalet = R59 million.

3.• SSB laundry & administration R2 million

4.• Main complex R200 million.

5.• Total rand value R421,000,000.00

Equipment Available:
žBrush cutters

žSteel Rakes

žHand slasher

žChain saw

žBow saw

žSmall Axe’s

žPitch fork

žLeather gloves

žLarge pruning shears

žGoggles

žPanga’s

žTractor Tipper

žTractor Slasher

ž1 Big Axe

Personal Available:
žThis operation will both involve the students as well as the staff members.

žThe 2nd years will be the team leaders and they will each have a group of 1st years to lead.

žStaff members from the garden and farming department will also be helping us.

žThe Working on Fire teams will also be assisting us – Free of charge.

Vehicles Available:
žFor the main cutting of the fire breaks, we have the tractors with slashers.

žThe transporting of the students to the required work area, the cruiser, the Tata and the academy bakkie is available.

We have a tractors with a trailers, for transporting all the cut materials to thy dumping site or the compost heap
Time Span:

1.Makhato Houses – 1 week

2.Chalet’s – 1 week

3.SSB – 2days

žOur estimated time span is two weeks and 2days.

žWe currently have about 40 people.

žAt our disposal it will most probably be done in a sooner period of time.
Overview on fire Preparation Plan:

žPhase 1- Planning of the fire preparation plan

žPhase 2- Preparation of staff equipment, vehicles and logistical support

žPhase 3- Implement the plan & the identified areas

žPhase 4- Clean and hand back equipment & vehicles.

žIdentification of unserviceable items

žPhase 5- debrief of personal for next years operation

žAreas to be prepared:

1.Makhato Houses

2.Chalets

3.SSB

4.The farm itself as a Nature Reserve

žSee the Small Scale map for the threat analysis of the fire threat
General Overview:

1.Western threat:

žThe main threat - The west, specifically from the highway. In 2010 we had a large fire from this direction. It burnt right through, it almost got to the Wildlife Centre. Most of the incidents came from the west.

2. Eastern threat:

žDuring 2009 a fire broke out in the east, it was just stopped outside the fence of Sondela. This was on the eastern boundary.

3. Northern threat:

žThis is a threat, but the probability of a fire coming from the north is minimal.
Countering the Threats:

Western threat

žThis threat is countered by a series of fire breaks as indicated on the map.

žAll the important zones are marked on the map:

ž1.1 Makhato

ž1.2 Chalets

ž1.3 Wildlife centre area

ž1.4 Main complex area

žThe last line of fire defense are the important zones. We will cut the areas around the houses between 14 to 17 meters.

Northern Threats:

žThis threat is countered by a series of fire breaks as indicated on the map:

ž2. 1 Makhato

ž2. 2 Chalets

ž2. 3 Wildlife centre

ž2. 4 Main complex

žThe last line of fire defense are the important zones. We will cut the areas around the houses between 14 to 17 meters.
Eastern Threats:

žThis threat is countered by a series of fire breaks as indicated on the map

ž3. 1 Makhato

ž3. 2 Chalets

ž3. 3 Wildlife centre

ž3. 4 Main complex

žThe last line of fire defense are the important zones. We will cut the areas around the houses between 14 to 17 meters.

Phase1C- Planning Equipment:

žThe members of Working on Fire, has their own equipment:

1.Panga’s

2.Goggles

3.Protective Clothing

4.Axe’s

5.Saw’s

žManagement of the sectors are very important, make sure that each sector keeps their equipment in a specific area. Do not get different sector’s equipment mixed up.

Phase2 – Preparation:

žBefore we implement our project, we will need to check whether we have all the equipment. Before we use the equipment, we will need to assure that the equipment is available for our usage. We will also need to make sure that they are in working order.

žWe will be briefing the students on the plan.

žWe will take the students to the area where we are going to cut, so that they can see what we have to do.

Phase3 – Implement:

žThe fire breaks have already been cut. Our job now is to: Go in around the chalet’s and Makhato houses to cut the grass, bushes and small branches on the trees up until 2metres. We have to do this, because the tractors won’t be able to reach.

Phase4 – Clean and Return Equipment:

žAfter each day, we will clean all the equipment that was used and then we will return it daily.

žThe Team member that is working with the equipment, must report any problems back to the 2nd year they are working with. The 2nd year will then report it to the appropriate manager.

Phase5 – Debrief:

žThe purpose of the exercise is to give the 2nd year conservation learners a chance to plan for the fire season and to implement the preparation plan out of a management perspective.

žThe purpose of the exercise is to give the 1st year conservation a chance to execute a fire prevention plan and to work as a field ranger in the real circumstances of a ranger.

Phase5 – Debrief:

žDuring all the phases the 2nd year learners will keep notes and organize debriefs with the 1st year learners

žThe debriefs need to follow the process of a debrief

žEach team leader needs to write a debrief 2nd year learner report and hand it in to the 2 on the following date 14-06-2010

žA debrief report needs to be written and handed in at the academy and operations

Logistics:

žOrganise for the food to be taken to the students.

žMake sure that the students have water available at all times?

žWhen is the equipment available and how much of it will be available at a time?

žWhen will the vehicles be available?

žWhen are the students available?

žRepairs of broken equipment on site?

žAvailability of petrol for the brush cutters?

žWhen will transport be available?

Incentive:

žWhat possible incentives can we offer?

ž• Suggestions:

1.Braai at the end of the task?

2.The learners that have finished their quota’s can go early on leave?

Questions:
"Any Questions"


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