Essential fire readiness tips for Hout Bay residents

Hout Bay Fire Station is preparing residents for the summer season with advice on preventing fires, responding to residential and wildfires, and avoiding actions that could delay emergency services.

Platoon commander Robert Stamatiadis and his team hosted a "fire readiness" session for residents from Scott and Baviaanskloof Community Improvement District (SEBCID) on Saturday, October 25.

They learned about fire equipment, vehicle orientation, and received a demonstration of the wide range of equipment for dealing with both residential and wild fires.

They discussed, in particular, issues in Hout Bay related to fire prevention and response.

Their 24-hour availability and medical facility mean that people often seek their help for medical emergencies.

One of the team members mentioned casually that he has thus far delivered eight babies at the station.

Residents were also shown how community members could help and support an effective and efficient response in the event of a fire.

This included issues around access - park so that there is always plenty of road width for a big fire truck to pass, and stick to the legal requirement of at least 1.5m from fire hydrants.

If you drive to the scene of a fire, you risk adding to congestion and delaying fire service access.

SEBCID board member Peter Labouchere thanked the fire station team for the warm welcome, interesting and valuable insights.

For more information and to arrange similar group visits, call the station on 021 814 1830 and direct enquiries to the station commander.

According to the City of Cape Town, the Mother City faces a range of fire risks. In summer, vegetation fires are more prevalent due to hot, dry, and windy weather.

Over the past few years, there has been an upward trend.

Between October 2021 and January 2022, the fire and rescue service recorded 5 331 vegetation fires. The number has increased every summer since, to 7 480 vegetation fires in 2024/25 - a 40% increase.

The City's mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith, said that the pressure was relentless because they also respond to structural fires and a range of other emergencies, from motor vehicle accidents to hazmat incidents and even water rescues where needed.

The same weather conditions that promote the spread of wildfires also increase the risk of devastating fires in informal settlements.

"The City has, over time, invested heavily in our firefighting response, including seasonal reinforcements like wildland firefighters and aerial support.

"The public can lend a hand by being alert to fire risks, behaving responsibly to reduce the risk of fires and other emergencies, and by reporting incidents as soon as possible, to reduce the impacts," he said. 

Fire and Rescue Service will have the following resources available for summer: fire crews on duty at all 32 City fire stations, 24/7, to deal with any type of emergency; aerial firefighting support from Monday, December 1, in the form of two Huey helicopters; a fixed wing light spotter aircraft to assist the command and control centre during veld fires; and 96 wildland firefighters who will be strategically deployed to cover those areas prone to runaway vegetation fires.

This will also free up on-duty staff to attend to other types of emergencies.

The fire and rescue service also forms part of the City’s interdepartmental festive season operational meetings that oversee and implement the festive season safety plan.

A comprehensive list of fire safety tips is available here www.capetown.gov.za/firesafety

The public is reminded to report any fires or other risks to life or property to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.