TZANEEN – A new non-profit organisation, the Tzaneen Emergency Support Team (EST), has been established to support local efforts in combating wildfires during the fire season. Founded on March 18 by Marinus van der Westhuizen, the initiative aims to provide additional resources and manpower when local services are stretched to their limits.

“The goal is to assist local services and landowners while ensuring our support remains free to the public,” said Van der Westhuizen. “We achieve this by staffing the organisation with trained and dedicated volunteers.”

Last year’s fire season marks the first deployment for the Tzaneen EST, which responded to its first wildland fire with a small crew of four. Despite having limited personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment, the team quickly became more organised, improved its resources, and expanded its crew to ensure greater availability for future responses.

Tzaneen EST works closely with the Letaba Fire Protection Association (LFPA) and Mopani Fire and Rescue Services. According to Van der Westhuizen, when a fire emergency arises, the crew is dispatched through the LFPA fire dispatch center.

Specialising in wildland fire suppression, the Tzaneen EST operates as a hand crew-based team. The group uses traditional firefighting tools such as fire beaters, rake hoes, and knapsack sprayers to contain and extinguish wildfires.

“Our crew follows the model of renowned wildland firefighting units like the Federal US Hotshot Crew and South Africa’s Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS),” Van der Westhuizen explained. “We are committed to being highly trained, disciplined, and ready for immediate deployment.”

However, the organization faces several challenges, including limited funding, resources, volunteer retention, and training. Tzaneen EST relies on donations to cover the costs of PPE, tools, fuel, and other necessary equipment.

“Currently, we accept a maximum of five recruits each year to ensure quality training and smooth integration,” he said. “While we hope to increase this number in the future, maintaining proper training and equipment for everyone remains a constant challenge.”

The Tzaneen EST is grateful for the support it has received from local landowners, businesses, and organisations. Van der Westhuizen encourages community members to contribute in any way they can. “We accept any form of assistance, whether it’s financial support, equipment donations, or sponsorships. Every contribution helps us stay operational and ensures the safety of our community,” he said.

For those interested in getting involved, Van der Westhuizen can be reached at rvdwesthuizen@tznest.org.