FPA donates firetruck to Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch

In a close knit community like Vryheid, there is very little that can match the unity that unfolds when tragedy strikes.

When crises occur, it is often reassuring to know that there are those who respond without hesitation and, with fire season on our doorstep, and considering the current state of the municipal fire truck, which is believed to be in a somewhat questionable condition when it comes to providing the necessary service to adequately fight fires, it is even more consolation for the residents of Vryheid to learn that Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch, who are often among the first to respond when fire breaks out, will now be better equipped to assist with such emergencies.

The Vryheid Fire Protection Agency (FPA) recently upgraded their emergency response vehicles and, with Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch’s dedication to the safety of their community, made evident by their reliable presence and assistance at emergency situations where firefighting is often at the forefront, they opted to donate their old firetruck to the organisation.

While the 1985 model DENNIS firetruck is currently almost in running condition, there are many things that need to be done before it can be efficiently utilised for its actual purpose – to fight fire.

Francis Terblanche from local transport company, FST has pledged his assistance to the Neighbourhood Watch by undertaking the initial restoration of the vehicle, including wiring and other general repairs.

For Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch chairman, André Rheder, this is certainly not his first rodeo when it comes to fighting fire. He smiles reminiscently as he talks of his “younger days” as part of the ‘Burgerlike Beskerming’ group from back in the late 1970s to early 1980s, under the training of Johnny Bender, where young men, and women, volunteered their services to community safety.

As Head of Disaster Management and Assistant Chief Protection Officer for AbaQulusi and with 36 years of experience in the field, Johnny Bender, who has since retired, recalls with fondness the enthusiasm of the volunteers who signed up for training all those years ago.

“We had approximately thirty boys and ten girls signed up,” he recalls. “They were trained in the proper use of fire equipment and how to handle the different types of fire and equipment, including the Jaws of Life, correctly. It’s really an advantage for any person to know the correct procedures involved. They went through the whole course and were all active volunteers. If they heard a siren, they were there…” he adds with a hearty chuckle and a sense of pride in his voice.
“In the wintertime, we made use of the volunteers to assist with firebreaks and burning open areas to avoid veldfires…”

Also read: #VryheidFire: A silver lining in the ashes – ‘Vryheid staan saam’

On the subject of Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch’s recent acquisition of the 1985 DENNIS, Mr Bender advises, “If Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch can acquire the right support from the community and get the firetruck up to the correct standard, I think it can definitely benefit everyone,” he says. “With the proper training in firehandling and the right equipment and protective clothing and gear, there should be a lot of people eager to assist… this will ensure a decent response in the case of emergencies.”

Vryheid Fire Protection Agency (FPA) Manager, Johan le Roux explains that the FPA committee, chaired by Ken Taylor at the time of the decision to donate the truck to Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch, made the decision based on several key factors.

“The vehicle is not suitable for attending to veldfires,” he elaborates. “At this point, we don’t actually have firemen adequately trained in attending to structural fires. We have observed that Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch usually assist when there are structural fires in town and felt that they could make better use of the vehicle as that is where it is better suited.”

He adds, “We wish them the best of luck from the committee and hope that this will help them in their dedicated service to the community.”

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At a Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch committee meeting on Monday night, KZN Private Ambulance representatives, Frikkie Bekker and Richard Schouten, who are well versed on firefighting, were invited to attend as the committee examined a wishlist compiled by André Rheder highlighting the basic necessities required to get the firetruck in full working order. With Mr Bekker and Mr Schouten’s assistance, the committee was able to fine tune the list of requirements before sharing it with the community from whom they seek the support to acquire the firetruck’s basic needs.

The list includes:

• Two 674 batteries,
• two oil filters,
• two 60 metre 25mm rubber hoses,
• one 100 metre 75mm hose,
• couplings, connecters and branches,
• 12V LED spotlights,
• 12V lights for the cab,
• Red LED marker lights,
• white LED lights,
• a rearview camera,
• temperature gauge for the engine,
• water pressure gauges,
• a new PTO cable,
• safety equipment for firefighters, helmets, overalls and fire jackets,
• tools for firefighting, a ladder, an axe, a ceiling hook, hydrant key and a bolt cutter

Mr Schouten pointed out that, as Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch, they would be advised to focus more on fire containment as opposed to firefighting and that it is vital to specifically identify the role of Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch in these emergencies.

“Our role as Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch will be one of support,” states Mr Rheder steadfastly. “We do not want to take over the jobs of those employed to fight fires in AbaQulusi. We are committing ourselves to provide assistance to those who are responsible for firefighting in our town. With the DENNIS, we can do so more effectively. But we need your support…”

Get involved: To raise funds for the refurbishment of the firetruck, Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch will be hosting a golf day at Vryheid Country Club on October 5. Anyone who would like to be a part of this initiative by taking part or sponsoring a tee or a green, can contact Gerrie van der Merwe on 083 294 1904, André Rheder on 078 195 9539 or Keith Sparrow on 083 272 8912.

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