1. Presentation to the Portfolio committee: Water affairs and forestry 5 March 2003
Santam Cape Argus Ukuvuka Operation Firestop

2. Purpose of this presentation
To give background on the Ukuvuka Campaign, another initiative using an environmental problem to create developmental opportunities, and share some of the lessons leaned especially relating to institutional arrangements

3. Objectives of Ukuvuka
Ukuvuka: Operation Firestop aims to significantly reduce the risk of damage and danger from wildfires in both the mountains and informal settlements of the Cape Peninsula.
The first target is the land and its plants, where the aim is to:
·        control invading alien plants; and
·        rehabilitate fire-damaged areas.
The second target is communities and individuals, by helping to:
·        create employment, training and poverty relief ·        protect the most vulnerable communities from fire;
·        promote social cohesion between communities.
Thirdly, institutions will be assisted to:
·        implement integrated fire management plans; and
·        manage the urban edge.

4. 11 October 2000 International disaster reduction day
Collaboration with City of Cape Town’s Disaster Management in the fire awareness and prevention campaign
11 October 2000
International disaster reduction day

5. Fire Mitigation project 26 November 2000 Fire in Langa’s Joe Slovo
Declared a national disaster by President Mbeki

7. Greening of the powerline servitude by the outreach project of NBI – National Botanical Institute

8. Intervention type Costs, Zone 30 Costs, Zones 31, 32 Total costs (ZAR)
Water (basic standpipe supply
Water (upgrading hydrants)
90 000
84 000
Tracks
Storm water drainage
Dwelling relocations
30 000
78 000
Dwelling numbering
15 000
35 000
50 000
Sub-total
(UK funding 40.2 %)
Expend/household (950 households Zone30; households Zone31/32)
1 476
758
926
Eskom electrification costs
Total expenditure Joe Slovo
Expenditure per household
3 368

9. Fire & Life Safety programme
First pilot April 2001 at Navy week

10. Outcomes of FLSP
R spent on FLSP – returns on investment are:
Two operational fire engines converted into mobile fire education and prevention vehicles (one for the South and one for the North)
Lesson plans developed for three core messages (stop, drop and roll; crawl low under smoke; call 107!)
Over 100 fire fighters trained to staff these vehicles as part of the FLSP
By March 2003 – Over 8000 children educated by the FLSP (between ages of 6-10)
Unprecedented positive liaison between fire services departments
For the first time in 150 years of fire suppression, 23 posts have been created for fire and life safety officers

11. Piloting behaviour change
Redhill informal settlement
December 2002

12. COMMENT ON RESULTS OF REDHILL EVALUATION
“This high positive overall result reflects the extent to which respondents are willing to and/or understand the need to change their behaviour in terms of the prevention of fire. This determinant reflected the biggest swing in outcomes between the pre and post-event test results, i.e. from a critical 55.4% scored in the red zone during pre-event testing, to a significant 95.2% achieved during post-event assessment: a turnaround of 39.8%”
Furthermore:
“This significant swing in behaviour-based variables as reflected through the question in graph 1 above, reflects the hugely increased base of cooperation and willingness to change behaviour attained through the Forum Action sessions. Along with the high positive results obtained for the other two determinants, i.e. awareness and attitude, these session proved themselves to be a very successful intervention that lay the groundwork to build a successful fire-prevention culture. As pointed out before, however, sustainability and continued, focused programmes to build on this success will be of critical importance to ensure long-term effectiveness.”