Locals donate more than R50k for firefighting efforts
The main goal for the funds is to put up a carport so all the existing fire equipment in Marloth Park can be stored in one place.
Following a house fire in the early hours of October 24, residents of this park banded together and donated more than R50 000 towards fire equipment and the housing thereof.
Vaughan Potgieter, who leads the fire team in Marloth Park at this stage, said the main goal is to put up a carport so all the existing equipment can be stored in one place.
Right now, the equipment is being stored at different houses, which makes mobilising in case of a fire just that much harder.
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Not only will this streamline the process of firefighting, it will also keep the equipment safe as the idea is to have palisades and a gate surrounding the carport; they are currently awaiting a quotation for what the costs will amount to.
Potgieter was a firefighter, as was his father before him. He said it remains in your blood, and when he bought a property in Marloth in 2019 he noticed the need for a fire service.
He said there has always been a team and equipment has been donated from time to time. What they are trying to do now is get the team better trained and equipped.
Once the equipment is safe, the idea is to get the proper protective gear for those members who do not already have it.
The team currently has 16 members, six to eight of whom would typically attend to a fire.
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Although he said council is supposed to take care of fires within the park, they do not want to point fingers at anyone, but rather work proactively and together.
“They are also underequipped. We cannot fight and should rather work together.”
Potgieter noted that it is not always a case of a bush fire or lightning. People need to be more compliant in their homes as well. “We want to assist people to get up to scratch”, and in so doing ensure they have the knowledge and equipment to prevent fires.
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