DFW Fire and Rescue: Underrated and undervalued and using only private funding to protect the greater areas, but could we do without them? The answer is NO.
The Drakenstein Municipal communities, and especially Paarl and Wellington, can be immensely grateful for the unwavering dedication and bravery exhibited by the volunteer DFW firefighters who fearlessly serve the community despite the challenges posed by many natural disasters such as floodings and devastating fires, medical emergency rescue and humanitarian aid, but of course also by the constraints on the funding model, without any municipal, district or provincial support, privately driving the Private DFW Fire and Rescue Group.
The DFW group offers its volunteers to use an impressive fleet with 4×4 striker- and tanker trucks, many SUVs and state-of-the-art ultra-modern fire-compression machinery.
Heartfelt appreciation should go to these exceptional individuals who voluntarily and tirelessly protect the residents and their cherished properties.
Firefighters and especially private or volunteer firefighters are the backbone of a city’s safety infrastructure, often selflessly putting themselves in harm’s way to ensure the well-being of other residents.
Over the last six years, while facing massive veld and forest fires, endangering the farming capacities of the agricultural sector, but also when engaging in structural fires, the private volunteer firefighters of the DFW have prominently demonstrated their resolute commitment by battling all these incidents with an unmatched sense of duty and professionalism.
It is crucial to recognise that the work of all firefighters, including the DFW Volunteers, extends beyond the physical act of only extinguishing flames. Their continuous dedication safeguard your homes, livelihoods and the very fabric of the community.
Even in the face of hardship, these volunteers and professionals alike have exemplified their unwavering commitment to the public, proving their allegiance lies firmly with the safety and welfare of all the residents of Paarl and Wellington.
With deep concern the DFW group looks at the coming fire season and the devastating experiences from past seasons. The many uncontrolled, destructive fires and the continued expectancy of will put an even greater strain on our resources, burdening our firefighting response and suppression capabilities.
The reckless behaviour of certain religious groups in the rural mountainous areas, by the lighting of candles in thick brushes and leaving it burning unattended, is a major cause for concern, a general neglect of fire safety all around, and the increase of burning materials due to vegetation growth caused by an exceptional wet winter not only endangers lives and property, but also undermines the tireless efforts of your brave firefighters who diligently work to protect the area and the greater City of Excellence.
The courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment by all firefighters, but especially the voluntary group, serves as a shining example to us all.
We ask the greater public, but also the business sector, to come on board as donors and ambassadors, and assist the DFW Fire and Rescue non-profit entity in their continued endeavours and to feel secure entering the fire season ahead.
