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01 September 2025 Expanded Public Works Programme Seasonal Firefighters

Expanded Public Works Programme Seasonal Firefighters

 The EPWP of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is offering an exciting opportunity for unemployed youth who have completed Firefighter 1, Hazmat Awareness, and First Aid Level 3, and who are physically and mentally fit. This opportunity will run for a period of four (4) months, from 1 December 2025 – 31 March 2026.

PERIOD:  4 Months

Candidates who wish to apply must meet the following minimum requirements:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

·        Completion of Firefighter 1 course at an accredited firefighting training institution.
·        Completion of Hazmat Awareness course at an accredited firefighting training institution.
·        Completion of First Aid Level 3 course at a registered first aid training institution.
·        Valid police clearance or proof of payment for police clearance.
·        Ability to speak at least two of the three official languages of the Western Cape.
·        Must be unemployed and not registered on any other Learnership, Internship, or WIL Programme.
·        Must reside within the borders of the Garden Route region.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

·        Certified copy of Identity Document.
·        Proof of police clearance or proof of payment.
·        Proof of Firefighter 1, Hazmat Awareness, and First Aid Level 3 completed courses.
·        Completed Curriculum Vitae.
·        Completed EPWP application form.

APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER INFORMATION:

Please submit a completed EPWP application form, together with your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a certified copy of your Identity Document, and proof of police clearance at one of the Garden Route District Municipality Satellite Offices listed below, or via email to: epwp@edendm.co.za.

Click here and download the EPWP Database Application form.

Click here and download the Official Advert.

CLOSING DATE: 19 October 2025

Notice number: 86/2025

MG Stratu
MUNICIPAL MANAGER

07 August 2025 Media Release: GRDM Disaster Management and EHPs teams assist Bitou Municipality in Bossiesgif fire

GRDM Disaster Management and EHPs teams assist Bitou Municipality in Bossiesgif fire

For immediate release
07 August 2025

The last few days have been traumatic for the Bossiesgif residents of the Bitou Municipal area.

A fire broke out in the informal settlement, with flames that raged through structures leaving approximately 500 people, including children, affected by the flames.

The fire destroyed 162 informal structures with 3 structures that burned partially in Bossiesgif, Bitou

Reports from Bitou Municipality confirmed that the fire broke out in the early hours of 4 August 2025.  In a report that was published on 5 August, it was confirmed that 162 informal structures were destroyed and 3 were partially burned, affecting approximately 500 people with a count of 4-6 people per household.

In collaboration with Bitou Municipality, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) acted swiftly to provide the needed assistance to lessen the impact of the fire on affected individuals. GRDM’s Disaster Management team assisted with the activation of key role players in coordinating a rapid and effective response. The GRDM Disaster Management Centre (DMC) also fulfilled their role as an important link between the district and local coordinators when the centre facilitated communication and provided regular situational reports to district and provincial coordinators. These efforts demonstrated the solid working relations between GRDM and Bitou Municipality.

In ensuring that humanitarian relief was provided to all affected residents, the GRDM DMC supplied 59 mattresses and 71 blankets to the families. This was part of a larger relief effort that included donations received from the Gift of the Givers, meals from Dignity Fund and the Shoprite Act For Change soup kitchen, and ongoing municipal efforts.

GRDM, Bitou Municipality and stakeholders assessing the damages and providing humanitarian aid to residents affected by the fire.

GRDM’s EHPs also played a critical role at the identified sites when they conducted an assessment of all health processes related to food handling and waste disposal thereof at the hall. These processes were well coordinated and the assessment confirmed that all the necessary protocols were followed.

Executive Mayor of GRDM, Andrew Stroebel, commended GRDM, Bitou teams, as well as other stakeholders involved, for their swift response to rescue the residential structures in Bossiesgif, but most importantly the lives of the residents of the settlement. Mayor Stroebel said: “As a district, we applaud the swift reaction of both Bitou and GRDM Emergency and Disaster Management teams and we are thankful that no lives were lost in this devastating fire”.

ENDS

08 July 2025 Media Release: 900 Additional Smoke Alarms Now Installed by Garden Route District Municipality and Stakeholders

Media Release: 900 Additional Smoke Alarms Now Installed by Garden Route District Municipality and Stakeholders

8 July 2025

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) continues with its 10-year battery-life smoke alarm system installations within high fire risk informal settlements. This project was launched in the Garden Route during 2021. It has been a collaborative effort between the GRDM and local municipalities’ Fire Services, who identified areas based on historical call-out data, population density, access, and distances to fire stations.

According to Deon Stoffels, GRDM Fire Chief, “900 devices were recently installed in Smutsville within the Knysna municipal area (Lank Gewag, Skool Gaatjie, Beverly Hills, Makhaphela, Slangepark, Sukhumzamo, Onderste Gaatjie and Corona Valley). In 2024, 480 alarms were installed in Rheenendal and before that, in Kannaland too”.

Tydens ‘n besoek aan die Smutsville gemeenskap het Uitvoerende Burgemeester Andrew Stroebel met verskeie inwoners van Smutsville gesels. Magdalena Twick is een van die inwoners van Smutsville wat al drie keer haar huis verloor het. “Die laaste keer wat my woning afgebrand het is in 2023 en ek woon tans in ‘n tydelike woning wat deur Knysna Munisipaliteit opgerig is. Ek is dankbaar vir die brandalarmstelsel wat nou in my plekkie geïnstalleer is, want dit kan my enige tyd van die dag of nag waarsku teen ‘n moontlike brand”.

Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel, expressed his appreciation by saying: “We are deeply grateful to the Western Cape Provincial Government (WCG) Department of Local Government, under the leadership of Minister Anton Bredell, for funding this initiative with half a million Rand. It proves to the public that the WCG lends a helping hand when communities call for support. WCG also co-funded the Region’s Fire Station in 2024, supplementing the project with a R3 million shortfall, showing their further commitment to regional fire safety”.

“I’d also like to thank my MMC for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, our Fire Chief Deon Stoffels and his team, Gerhard Otto, Manager for Disaster Management and his team, for making this project a reality on the ground with external stakeholders,” said Stroebel.

MMC Hoogbaard also visited Smutsville when the devices were installed in June. ”We know that fires can strike at any moment. This happens often with little to no warning, and these impacts can be deadly. In communities, where many homes are constructed from highly flammable materials and are densely placed, a single spark can become a disaster within minutes. Imagine losing crucial documents like ID documents, birth certificates, and other important records in a fire? This is why early detection is not just important, but lifesaving as well.”

Knysna Municipality’s Chief Fire Officer, Ian Bezuidenhout confirmed that all areas covered, historically receive a high number of fire-related callouts. The alarms are always installed in a central area of a structure, ideally located to detect smoke from all areas within a home. As soon as it detects smoke, it emits a loud sound to alert occupants of a potential fire and provides residents time to act for a quick and safe escape. It prevents the loss of life, assets and critical belongings. Residents are also educated to then contact their Firefighters for immediate assistance.

According to project leaders Heinrich Leslie, GRDM Station Commander and Lee-Ann Joubert, GRDM Disaster Management Coordinator, residents become instantly more alert, engaging, and receptive in terms of fire prevention, which contribute greatly to a culture of safety. “Fire alarms are not only installed at homes, but homeowners are also given valuable tips on how to prevent fires.”

In order for the implementation of the project to be successful, various role-players and individual efforts are necessary and are acknowledged. They are as follows.

  • GRDM Fire & Rescue Services and Reserve (Volunteer) Firefighters;
  • GRDM Disaster Management Unit;
  • Working of Fire Personnel;
  • Asivikelani Development Action Group (Vermisha Galant, Fregan Galant, and Keanan Lamienie);
  • Knysna Municipality Integrated Human Settlements representative Eunis Vena; and
  • The Western Cape Local Government Directorate Fire & Rescue Services and Disaster Management.

Editors’ note:

  • In 2016 a Smoke Alarm Project was launched by Mr Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, developed by the Western Cape Fire and Rescue Services Directorate.
  • We urge the business community to support and fund similar initiatives as Local Government unfortunately cannot fill all the gaps simultaneously, and naturally, due to the economic climate, communities resort to lower cost housing, and most often, informal housing expand, which naturally are susceptible to these fire related risks. For this purpose, please reach out to GRDM Chief Fire Officer, Deon Stoffels at deon@gardenroute.gov.za.
  • The smoke alarms work with a DC3V lithium manganese battery. It is also recommended for the smoke detectors to be installed in corridors and starways, or in a unit outside a cluster of bedrooms.

Previous articles relating to this programme

Feature image: Junice Vene (Ward Committee Member), Mayor Andrew Stroebel, Vermisha Galant (Asivikelani Development Action Group) and Lee-Ann Joubert (GRDM Disaster Management Officer), during the walk-about.

18 June 2025 Media Release: Garden Route’s Smoke Alarm Initiative Shields Vulnerable Communities from Fires

Media Release: Garden Route’s Smoke Alarm Initiative Shields Vulnerable Communities from Fires

18 June 2025

With winter currently here and many Garden Routers  using indoor fires to keep warm, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) in partnership with the Knysna Local Municipality, extended the Smoke Alarm Installation Project further in Knysna, reaching Smutsville in Sedgefield from 09 – 17 June 2025.

This initiative, spearheaded by the GRDM Disaster Management Section, has already been rolled out in other municipal areas across the district. According to Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel, “This initiative, funded by the Western Cape Provincial Government, and primarily aims to proactively identify high fire-risk areas within vulnerable communities in our district, and then install smoke alarm devices in these informal settlements”.

“Vulnerable communities remain a top priority for the GRDM and its partners,” said Stroebel

According to Lee-Ann Joubert, GRDM Disaster Management Coordinator, “Knysna Municipality’s Fire Services identified hotspot areas within their local municipality, after which GRDM firefighters installed the detectors and educate homeowners about the benefits and proper use of the device”.

GRDM Fire Services Station Commander Hein Leslie acted as co-project leader, explained: “I must say that the community is very glad and supportive of this initiative.  We did experience some challenges in the beginning when a few community members were under the impression that we installed cameras, but after engaging with them,  the community became more supportive of the initiative.”

Activities underway during the Smoke Alarm Installation Project in Smutsville, Sedgefield

During a brief gathering between officials from GRDM, Cllr Levael Davis, ward Councillor as well as member of the Asivikelane Development Action Group, which partnered with Knysna Municipality to monitor the status of ‘basic services’, GRDM Cllr Hoogbaard, Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services addressed the group.

”We know that fires can strike at any moment – often with little to no warning, and these impacts can be deadly. In communities, where many homes are constructed from highly flammable materials and are densely placed, a single spark can become a disaster within minutes. Imagine losing crucial documents like ID documents, birth certificates, and other important records in a fire? This is why early detection is not just important, but lifesaving as well,” Hoogbaard said.

To date, installations have been completed in the following communities within Smutsville: Skoolgaatjie, Lankgewag and Beverly Hills.

All partners involved in the Smoke Alarm Installation Project.

Firefighters are currently working in the Makhaphela area and will continue to roll out installations in additional high-risk zones in the area, including Slange Park, Sakhumzamo and surrounding areas

Part of this proactive project includes community education and awareness, empowering residents with knowledge to prevent fires, respond effectively, and improve early detection, which ultimately aimed at saving lives and protecting property.

-END-

06 June 2025 Public Notice: Notice to Smutsville residents:  Fire Safety Project – Smoke Detector Installations

Public Notice: Notice to Smutsville residents:  Fire Safety Project – Smoke Detector Installations

Notice Number.  56/2025

The Western Cape Fire and Rescue Services, Garden Route Fire and Rescue Services, Knysna Fire and Rescue Services, and Garden Route Disaster Management, in partnership with Asivikelane Community Facilitators, are leading a fire risk reduction project in your area.

As part of this program, smoke detection devices will be installed in informal structures to help protect households from fire-related risks. Installations will be carried out by trained team members.

Installations will begin on Monday, 9 June 2025 daily between 09:30 and 15:00 over three weeks. The names of the areas that will be visited, will be published as the programme moves forward in phases.

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) encourages the community to support this initiative by giving the teams access to their homes. If no one will be home on the day of planned installation, please make arrangements with a trusted neighbour.

The devices are provided free of charge, and through this initiative, the GRDM will also raise awareness, and educate residents about fire safety.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping to make the Smutsville community safer.

Click here to download the Official Notice.

Nthabeleng Raisa-Mlandu
Acting Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P O Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel:   044 803 1300
Notice Number 56/2025
6 June 2025

13 May 2025 Media Release: Holy Cross Primary School visits GRDM Firefighters

Media Release: Holy Cross Primary School visits GRDM Firefighters

13 May 2025

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Firefighters were visited by learners from the Holy Cross Primary School in George on Wednesday, 9 May 2025. The event, described as an enjoyable experience where both learners and teachers were made aware and educate on very important basic fire safety dos and don’ts.

Firefighters enjoyed educating and entertaining the youngsters, who showed a keen interest in the field of firefighting. Presentations were made about essential fire safety elements around the home, at school, as well as what to do when spotting a fire elsewhere. In a fun-filled and interactive way, learners were also taught the relevant emergency contact numbers of the emergency services.

“The learners enjoyed interacting with real firefighters and trying on the protective gear,” said Elana Basson-Coetzer, Platoon Commander.

“The ‘little ones certainly enjoyed their visit at the GRDM fire station.”

The young learners enjoyed their time with the firefighters.

The most exciting part of the visit to the fire station was when water was sprayed from the high-pressure hose, allowing the children to experience how flames are extinguished. They were also fascinated seeing how foam is generated, which is used to remove oxygen from certain fire types.

The visit was facilitator by Elana Basson-Coetzer and learner firefighter Corne Fourie. Both indicated that they equally enjoyed empowering the youth of Garden Route,  and the leaders of tomorrow.

Please contact Devonia Cupido, Acting Station Officer: Fire Safety & Training, at Devonia@gardenroute.gov.za if you would like our firefighters to visit your location.

-END-

05 May 2025 Media Release: Garden Route Forest Villages receiving life-saving training

Media Release: Garden Route Forest Villages receiving life-saving training

For immediate release
5 May 2025

Since the start of April, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Fire and Rescue Services Unit is visiting forest villages in the region. To date, community members from Witfontein in George, Diepwalle and Goudveld (Bibby’s Hoek) in the Knysna, as well as Ruiterbos in Mossel Bay, have received awareness about fire safety.

Among the topics covered in relation to veld and mountain fire safety awareness, information, and education intervention, are:

  • Historic wildfire path in relation to their location;
  • Risk Awareness;
  • Preventative Measures;
  • Clearing methods;
  • Safety measures in the home;
  • Designated and safe burn areas (waste); and
  • Escape routes in case of approaching fires.

Several forest villages in the region are subject to high risk in terms of wildfires especially and these interventions aim to make the inhabitants more fire resilient with good knowledge and tips to understand wildfire behaviour, and how to best protect themselves with safeguarding practices.

It is to note that whilst it is important to continuously inform and educate, firefighting authorities will prioritise rapid response to these remote areas in case of fire break out close to, and in proximity of.

More campaigns to be rolled out during May, include:

  • Bergplaas and Uitsig, George
  • Beervlei, Knysna
  • Kransbosch, Bitou

For more information regarding Fire Education related queries, contact the Deon Stoffels (Fire Chief), deon@gardenroute.gov.za.

 

Diepwalle, Knysna Municipal area

Goudveld, Knysna Municipal area

Witfontein, George Municipal area

Ruiterbos, Mossel Bay Municipal area

ENDS

21 February 2025 Media Release: GRDM facilitates Basic Veldfire Training conducted at Gourikwa Nature Reserve

Media Release: GRDM facilitates Basic Veldfire Training conducted at Gourikwa Nature Reserve

For immediate release
21 February 2025

The Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Fire Services was formally requested by the management of the Gourikwa Nature Reserve in Gouritsmond to present basic veldfire training to their personnel. The training was conducted on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, in collaboration with the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA), an Association frequently involved in GRDM’s responses to wildfires and  a key stakeholder for the municipality.

Staff from the Gourikwa Nature Reserve welcomed the training conducted by Garden Route District Municipality in collaboration with the South Cape Fire Protection Association.

“We are committed to working together with key stakeholders, such as the SCFPA, to ensure that our communities are well-prepared to handle the threat of veld fires,” said Mayor Andrew Stroebel. Stroebel added: “The training at the Gourikwa Nature Reserve is but one of many steps in equipping local personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to respond effectively and safely to fire incidents”.

The training that was facilitated by officers from GRDM aimed to equip the staff and Nature Conservation students with the necessary knowledge and skills to respond effectively to the breakout of veld fires on their property.

The Basic Veldfire training focused on key elements such as the fundamentals of veldfires, fire behaviour and associated risks.
  1. The session focused on key elements such as the fundamentals of veldfires, fire behaviour and associated risks.

In addition, the following topics were further unpacked:

– proper procedures for detecting and reporting veld and wildfires.

– basic wildfire suppression techniques and safety protocols during such.

– How on-site personnel can support, the Fire & Rescue Services during an active fire incident.

The session was led by GRDM Station Commander, Heinrich Leslie, and Senior Firefighter, Luciano James. Participants actively engaged in discussions, asked insightful questions, and took part in practical exercises designed to simulate real-life fire scenarios.

The training will be re-enforced when a burn permit is obtained for a pre-scribed fire later in the year.

If you would like to request similar training for a community, including but not limited to farm workers who are often faced by wildfires, kindly contact the GRDM Fire Chief, Deon Stoffels on 083 941 1994.

Feature Image: Teams from the Garden Route District Municipality’s Fire Services and the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA), during the basic veldfire training presented to personnel of the Gourikwa Nature Reserve in Gouritsmond. 

ENDS

21 February 2025 Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders roll out a Recognition of Prior Learning Occupational Firefighting Certificate

Media Release: GRDM and stakeholders roll out a Recognition of Prior Learning Occupational Firefighting Certificate

For immediate release
21 February 2025

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is pleased to announce the commencement of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Occupational Firefighting Certificate Programme. “This initiative reflects GRDM’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the skills and expertise of firefighters in the region,” said Ald. Nompumelelo Sumeia Ndayi, MMC for Corporate Services.

Information sessions with candidates from the Heidelberg and Riversdale regarding the RPL Programme.

The Occupational Certificate: Firefighting, is a national qualification that equips firefighters with the necessary skills and knowledge to respond to emergency situations. Being designed to recognise the prior learning and experience of firefighters, it will allow them to obtain the Occupational Certificate without undergoing the full training program.

The RPL programme offers several benefits to firefighters, including enhanced career prospects as it is a recognised qualification that can enhance career prospects and opportunities for advancement. It will furthermore provide firefighters with recognition of their prior learning and experience, boosting their confidence and self-esteem.

The RPL programme will be implemented in partnership with the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) and other stakeholders, including Hessequa Municipality, Kannaland Municipality, Bitou Municipality, Central Karoo District Municipality, Prins Albert Municipality, and Beaufort West Municipality. The rollout will occur in phases, with Phase 2 focusing on Candidate Self-Evaluation and the Formative Assessment Agreement.

Mayor Andrew Stroebel also added that the GRDM is committed to providing opportunities in the field of firefighting and providing necessary skills and knowledge to respond to emergency situations. “This RPL programme is an important process, aiming to improve their career prospects, by formally recognising their skills, knowledge and experience.”

Feature Image: Chief Fire Officer, Deon Stoffels (2nd from left), addressing the candidates from Hessequa during the information session.

ENDS

12 February 2025 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Assists Vulnerable Communities in Disaster Recovery Efforts

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Assists Vulnerable Communities in Disaster Recovery Efforts

12 February 2025

The Emergency Call Centre, a crucial component of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Disaster Management Centre (DMC), handles approximately 25,000 emergency calls per month. However, disaster management extends far beyond immediate incident response—it encompasses four key pillars:

  1. Mitigation
  2. Preparedness
  3. Response
  4. Recovery

Disaster management also includes planning and development, ensuring a proactive approach to both natural and human-made disasters. Beyond coordinating responses during major incidents, the DMC continuously works to enhance the district’s resilience against disaster risks.

DISASTER REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS

The GRDM DMC is responsible for facilitating local disaster declarations and motivating funding requests from both provincial and national governments for disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Currently, GRDM DMC is overseeing the implementation of several disaster rehabilitation projects, including:

2021/22 Flood Disaster Grants:

  • George: R237.5 million
  • Oudtshoorn: R26.6 million

2023 Storm Surge Disaster Grants:

  • Knysna: R2.6 million
  • Hessequa: R5.18 million

June 2024 Floods:

A disaster grant request of R115 million has been submitted to the National Disaster Management Centre and National Treasury and is currently pending approval.

RELIEF TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED

GRDM DMC plays a crucial role in ensuring that disaster-affected communities receive urgent assistance.

Emergency Water Relief – Gamka West (Calitzdorp) | 26 January 2024

After residents of Gamka West, who rely on the Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme, were left without water for over four days, GRDM DMC dispatched a water tanker from the Ladismith Fire Base to deliver several loads of water to affected families.

GRDM Firefighters recently assisted families after they were left without water from the Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme for four days.

Storm Damage Relief – Volmoed (Oudtshoorn) | 29 January 2024

Following heavy rain and gale-force winds, 32 households in Volmoed, outside Oudtshoorn, were left destitute. Responding to a request from the GRDM Deputy Mayor, GRDM DMC provided:

  • 52 blankets to the Oudtshoorn Municipality for evacuated residents housed in a local church hall.
  • The Oudtshoorn Municipality also distributed 32 mattresses and 32 starter kits to affected families.
  • GRDM DMC facilitated additional support from the Gift of the Givers, who provided food relief to affected individuals the following day.

A property in Volmoed that was severely damaged after rain and gale-force winds.

STRENGTHENING WATER AND SANITATION SECURITY

Recognising the importance of water security, GRDM DMC is spearheading the development of a District Water and Sanitation Master Plan. This initiative focuses on identifying and implementing bulk water and sanitation projects across municipal boundaries to enhance water security for all residents in the district.

The GRDM is assisted by the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP) to develop this Master Plan. The assistance of the company Partners in Performance (PiP) was subsequently obtained to develop this District Water and Sanitation Master Plan. At this point in time most of the technical information required, have been obtained from the current Water Services Authorities in the District. PiP is currently busy analysing this data.

The GRDM is working towards having a first draft available by the end of March this year.

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

The DMC also assists local municipalities in developing Disaster Risk Reduction Plans (DRR) ensuring alignment with local risk assessments.

It is important to remember that DRR should always be a holistic multi‐hazard/threat and multi‐stakeholder approach, and it should be mainstreamed into development projects to increase the resilience of the built environment.

DRR must be considered and where relevant implemented at the earliest appropriate stage of the design and planning process rather than added onto a project as an after‐thought. It is important to build back better, especially when opportunities arise in the aftermath of a disaster. Professional institutions can play a very positive role in educating students and members about their roles in disaster risk reduction.

DRR Plans vary for each local municipal area with the focus on addressing the following priority disaster risks in the District, namely flooding, fires – especially wildland fires, drought, coastal as well as river erosion, transportation incidents including Hazmat incidents as well as human and animal diseases .

Some of these plans include the following:

  1. Flood hazard mapping linked to the Spatial Development Framework of each Local Municipality.
  2. Emergency breaching of estuaries protocol and the pro-active management of low-lying flood prone areas.
  3. Eradication of invasive alien plants.
  4. Protection of riverbanks – especially in the Duiwenhoks River.
  5. Establishment of integrated fire management protocols.
  6. Public awareness campaigns.
  7. District Safety Forum as well as establishment of Local safety Forums.
  8. Building back better as an integral part of post disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction projects.

When these plans are updated, they form part of spatial development frameworks. This ensures that that emerging disaster risks are factored into planning of town infrastructure.

Feature image: GRDM Firefighters recently assisted families after they were left without water from the Klein Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme for four days.

ENDS