Draft white paper on fire services

The National Disaster Management Centre has published the Draft white paper on fire services for comment, "which represents the first major step in the reform and overhaul of the legislative framework governing the provision of this critical service to our communities. This reform is fundamental to better position the fire services to respond to the changing and growing needs of society as well as to contribute meaningfully in the achievement of the strategic objectives of the country’s National Development Plan. In essence, this White Paper provides a framework for understanding the philosophy and approach espoused by our government in the delivery of fire services in the country.

The fundamentals of this White Paper are derived from our Constitution and the relevant post 1994 local government legislation. In addition, and in line with international trends and practices, this White Paper seeks to establish fire safety and 10| prevention as core elements of fire services functions in order to prevent fires and ensure that precautionary measures are put in place to reduce the likelihood of fires thereby reducing the loss of lives, injuries, damage to property and the environment as a result of fires. Equally important is that this White Paper recognises the critical importance of working with all social partners to deal with factors undermining the ability of fire service to deliver on their Constitutional mandate while improving their performance."