Download logoFirefighters, specialists, municipalities and industry partners gathered today at the Lagoon Beach Hotel in Milnerton for the Western Cape Government Structural Firefighting Summit, focused on strengthening the province’s response to modern structural fire risks.
Hosted by the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre, in partnership with Santam and Fire Support Services SA, the two-day Summit is focused on knowledge-sharing, professional development and modern firefighting practices.
Day 1 focused on the changing fire environment and the need for fire services to adapt their skills, equipment and operational approaches.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, highlighted the scale of the fire challenge facing the province and paid tribute to firefighters for their courage, professionalism and sacrifice.
The Minister noted that more than 215 000 hectares were affected by wildfire incidents in the Western Cape during the past fire season, while approximately 53 000 hectares burned in the Cederberg Wilderness Area – its largest wildfire since 1997.
However, he emphasised that the fire challenge extends beyond wildfires.
“Structural fires may receive less public attention, but they continue to impose an enormous human and economic cost on our communities.”
Minister Bredell said changing buildings, construction materials and technologies are creating new risks for firefighters, including photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage systems, lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles. “Just as the built environment is changing, our fire services must change with it,” he said.
Day 1 featured technical discussions on key structural firefighting challenges. International speaker Andre Tomlinson of Bristol Fire addressed large-volume water supply, while Trevor Fiford of Industrial Fire Services SA focused on the science of foam.
Other sessions covered next-generation transitional attack, SANS 10090 firefighting capacity assessments, lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire, structural firefighting guidance and parking garage fires.
Practical videos showing real fire incidents and firefighting scenarios were also screened between discussions, bringing the lessons to life and showing the realities firefighters face on the ground.
The venue also featured exhibitions, giving delegates an opportunity to engage with exhibitors and explore firefighting equipment, technologies and solutions. Day 1 concluded with exhibitor engagement and networking.
Minister Bredell challenged delegates to question existing practices, share operational experience and find new ways to improve firefighter safety.
“We have shown in the Western Cape that collaboration can make a real difference in wildfire management. Now we need to bring that same spirit of collaboration and innovation to structural firefighting,” he said.
“Ultimately, our objective is very simple: safer buildings, safer firefighters and safer communities
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Department of the Premier.
