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National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998 (Act No. 101 of 1998)

Chapter 2 : Fire Protection Associations

5. Duties of fire protection associations

 

(1) A fire protection association must at least—
(a) develop and apply a veldfire management strategy for its area;
(b) provide in the strategy for agreed mechanisms for the co-ordination of actions with adjoining fire protection associations;
(c) make rules which bind its members;
(d) identify the ecological conditions that affect the fire danger;
(e) regularly communicate the fire danger rating referred to in sections 9 and 10 to its members;
(f) organise and train its members in fire fighting, management and prevention;
(g) inform its members of equipment and technology available for preventing and fighting veldfires;
(h) provide management services, training and support for communities in their efforts to manage and control veldfires;
(i) supply the Minister at least once every 12 months with statistics about veldfires in its area;
(j) furnish any information requested by the Minister in order to prepare or maintain the fire danger rating system;
(k) exercise the powers and perform the duties delegated to it by the Minister; and
(l) appoint a fire protection officer, unless there is a chief fire officer as contemplated in section 6(2)(a) who is willing to assume the powers and duties of a fire protection officer.

 

(2) Where a municipality or a designated service is a member, the fire protection association must consult with it in the development and application of the strategy.

 

(3) The Minister may delegate a power or duty to a fire protection association if he or she has consulted with the fire protection officer beforehand.

 

(4) The rules contemplated in subsection (1)(c) must provide for—
(a) any matter which may or must be dealt with in terms of this Act;
(b) the minimum standards to be maintained by members in relation to all aspects of veldfire prevention and readiness for fire fighting;
(c) controlled burning to conserve ecosystems and reduce the fire danger; and
(d) any other matter which is necessary for the fire protection association to achieve its objects.

 

(5) A copy of the rules must be lodged with the Minister.