The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s Working on Fire programme has opened a new base for its firefighters at the Randfontein Fire Station. The base partner is West Rand District Municipality (WRDM).

According to Working on Fire’s General Manager in Gauteng, Stephen Boyes, a team will assist the communities in the area that are vulnerable to veld and forest fires.

He urged the landowners and farmers to work closely with the Randfontein Fire Station.

Working on Fire offers integrated fire management services. The firefighters will be creating fire awareness in schools and early childhood centres in the areas because educational awareness is the central pillar of fighting the fires.

‘‘In the past we only had one team in Krugersdorp but now Randfontein has a stick team of 12 firefighters. They are well-resourced to assist with fire breaks and fire suppression this coming winter fire season. The negative effects of climate change severely fuel fires across the globe,’’ said an enthusiastic Boyes.

A team will work with Randfontein’s structural firefighters to battle veld and forest fires in the area this fire season.

The firefighters have just returned from the Yellow Card training camp where they were assessed on their readiness for the fire season.