Question NW73 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
28 February 2024 - NW73
Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What is the current total number of (a) fire rescue disaster personnel and (b) rescue swimmers (i) at each disaster centre (ii) in each province; (2) on what date was the last disaster audit done on capabilities of disaster centres with regard to (a) readiness, (b) capacity, (c) training and (d) qualification(s); (3) whether her department has any memorandums of understanding in place with any nongovernmental organisations and/or nonprofit organisations that relate to disaster responses; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was each memorandum of understanding signed with each specified organisation and (b) what liability cover is in place in respect of each memorandum of understanding? NW74E
Reply:
Question 1 (a)
The department of COGTA has initiated fire services capacity assessments which is updated on annual basis with all the Provincial Disaster Management Centres across the Country. The current total number of fire rescue disaster personnel are as follows:
|
Provinces |
Number of fire rescue members |
|
Western Cape |
1 452 |
|
Free State |
481 |
|
Gauteng |
3 538 |
|
Eastern Cape |
938 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
1 125 |
|
North West |
650 |
|
Limpopo |
482 |
|
Mpumalanga |
478 |
|
Northern Cape |
88 |
Question 1 (b) (i) and (ii)
|
Eastern Cape |
10 |
|
Free State |
27 |
|
North West |
23 |
|
Gauteng |
197 |
|
Western Cape |
69 |
|
Limpopo |
0 |
|
Mpumalanga |
37 |
|
Northern Cape |
0 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
205 |
Question 2 (a) (b) (c) (d)
The Department performs annual Urban Search & Rescue capacity assessments within the Provinces as part of its efforts to ensure the establishment as well as development of a sustainable Urban Search & Rescue capacity within the country.
The last capacity assessment in terms of (a) (b) (c) (d) was performed in the Mpumalanga Province on 25 October 2023.
Question 3
The Department has no active MOUs with NGOs/Non-profit organizations dealing with rescue disasters, as these are typically entered into on a Provincial and Municipal level with NGOs/NPOs at the initial face of operations. However, the Department is exploring the possibilities of such MOUs and have referred a recent request for partnership with an NGO through to the CoGTA Legal Services for a legal opinion. The Department is also in the process of having it's Urban Search & Rescue Governance Framework gazetted, which, in line with the Disaster Management Act (No 57 of 2002) calls for the active participation of all stakeholders, including the private sector, NGOs, technical experts, communities, traditional leaders and volunteers, in disaster risk and response planning and operations.
End.