Emergency numbers – Security, fire & disaster
Emergency numbers – Other issues
SECURITY –
Brenton OWLS neighbourhood watch
The Brenton Owls is the neighbourhood watch group that operates in Brenton-on-Sea. There are low levels of criminal activity due to the work of the Brenton Owls, more patrollers than previous years and improved community awareness.
Brenton-on-Sea is divided into several zones, each with a zone leader. The members of these zones carry out nightly patrols in turn. The patrollers operate in the whole of Brenton-on-Sea and as far up the Brenton Road as requested by the owners of properties along that road. The Owls also work in close cooperation with AllSound Security and the various other neighbourhood watches in the area, as well as with the South African Police Services. They are often the first responders to calls from residents of Brenton-on-Sea.
Brenton-on-Sea is watched over by several cameras which are linked to the AllSound Security control room in Knysna. The camera at the entrance to Brenton-on-Sea has numberplate registration recognition capabilities, so it is possible to determine which motor vehicles are entering and exiting the area.
The Brenton Owls neighbourhood watch is not an armed response operation. Rather, the Brenton Owls project encourages the community in Brenton-on-Sea to work together to assist in preventing crime by being the eyes and ears for SAPS and private security companies and enables the community to develop disaster mitigation plans in conjunction with various key role-players.
An Owls management group has been established, which meets monthly with the SAPS and Allsound Security. The Brenton OWLS management committee consists of
| Chair & Zone 1 Leader | Tony Rischbieter - 082 653 9902 |
| Vice chair | Christo Lombard |
| Treasurer | Dov de Jong |
| Zone 2 Leader | George Coon - 072 257 5072 |
| Zone 3 Leader | Graham Cochrane - 083 308 7668 |
| Zone 4 Leader | Jason Stunden - 082 770 5880 |
| Member | Ian Maricich |
| Member | Bryn van Vuuren |
| Member | Wayne Sternsdorf |
Patrolling
The committee members and volunteers in each zone also conduct visible patrols to deter criminals. Accordingly, Brenton Owls patrol cars will always be equipped with a white flashing light and magnetic Brenton Owls signs on the sides.
Projects
Upgrading the existing cameras in the area to fiber optics has started.
The license plate recognition camera was relocated to the Brenton-on-Sea/Brenton-on-Lake turn off, and the addition of a light at the intersection is also now complete.
The team plans to add two additional cameras at the 90 degree bend in CR Swart Road, one pointing toward the entrance of Brenton-on-Sea and the other one pointing toward the bay.
DISASTER Mitigation
The Brenton-on-Sea disaster mitigation portfolio falls under the OWLS neighbourhood watch structure and leadership.
The aim of the Brenton-on-Sea disaster mitigation structure is to prepare the community with the knowledge and means to respond to any disaster situation that may occur in our community.
It also forms part of the Combined Western Heads Disaster Mitigation Forum (which includes Brenton-on-Sea, Lake Brenton and Belvidere) in having a unified approach and communication structure to assist the communities and provide timely, accurate and clear information to the Emergency Services to deal with any emergency.
First responders
Disaster Mitigation First Responders are not firefighters nor paramedics and require no prior training. This is a voluntary service that can be provided by any member of the community. Their function is to provide relevant, accurate information and assistance to the local emergency services as requested by them. Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Accurately identify the location of the incident.
- Communicate with local emergency service to guide them to the scene.
- Provide aid to local emergency services as requested.
- Access route allocation, people, and traffic control.
- Assist with local hydrant and hose location.
- Man assembly points.
We encourage all community members to become actively involved to ensure their own as well as the community safety.
Assembly points and fire hydrants
Emergency assembly points are located strategically in the community. Note the location of the assembly points A, B and C on the map below. In case of emergency, residents and visitors will be advised on the Brenton Owls WhatsApp group or loud hailer whether to evacuate their homes and gather at these points.
Collaboration
To improve efficiency and build on the effectiveness of the initiative, a close relation is maintained with the neighbouring communities of Lake Brenton and Belvidere Estate. Regular discussions are held with emergency services of Knysna as well as the Garden Route to ensure that awareness, communication and early warning protocols are in place.
Affiliation with the Southern Cape Fire Protection Association ensure access to services and information such as a risk assessment for the Western Heads, fire danger index and weather forecast on a regular basis. Residents are encouraged to perform a risk assessment on their property at least once a year or more often if conditions change.
Fire Danger Index
Brenton-on-Sea is situated in a fire prone area, and is a member of the Western Heads Fire Management Unit (WHFMU). The Fire Danger Index (FDI) for each day is posted in the WHFMU Facebook page, which includes the location of the nearest lightning strikes, if any. The FDI is calculated using several factors, including the temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and previous rainfall. The result is then colour coded as follows:
Blue – Safe, cold and wet
Green – Moderate, low fire risk
Yellow – Dangerous, caution advised
Orange – Extremely dangerous, no open fires, report smoke/flames immediately
Red – Extreme
Red is the maximum FDI category and the risk is extremely high. Destructive veld fires are therefore likely in fynbos and invasive trees. Fires can spread up to 60m per minute with flame lengths in excess of 2.4m.
The FDI is sent to BRA members on the Brenton-on-Sea Owls and Brenton Community Issues WhatsApp groups in the morning of those days when the index is yellow, orange or red.
Community involvement
The community is encouraged to support the programme by volunteering as first responders and participate in the information sharing and training initiatives. A yearly programme of community engagement is used to inform and train the community. The programme typically includes but are not limited to, “Evening of interest“ talks or exercises on topics of interest like:
- Alternative power supplies
- Gas safety and risk assessment at home
- Fire extinguisher use and general fire response
- Foundation of emergency response
Projects
Incident Action Procedure Map – Review and update the Incident Action Procedure Map yearly to ensure it accurately reflects fire hydrant locations and assembly points.
Fire Hydrants – Review yearly the visibility, condition and accessibility of the fire hydrants.
Equipment – Procure and perform regular tests of disaster mitigation equipment (radios, inverter, cones, lights)
Control room – Establish and maintain a functional control room to co-ordinate actions during emergencies.
Training/Information – provide training and community information events to empower residents to use equipment and be better prepared in case of emergency.
Collaboration – Support originations and initiatives like Western Heads Combined Disaster Mitigation to standardise processes and procedures, Western Heads Fire Management Unit to establish fire breaks and perform risk assessments, Garden Route Disaster Mitigation to standardise processes and procedures, local authorities like the Knysna Fire Department and ambulance service to provide training and support.
Useful information
How to fire proof your garden
The internet provides helpful tips on how to minimize the risk of your house catching fire if it is not directly in the line of fire and heavy winds.
For example, to:
- Clear out invasive vegetation (Australian acacias, pines, gum trees, etc.) which burns hotter than our natural plant species.
- Select fire resistant plants such as broad-leafed succulent plants, smooth bark trees.
- Not use mulch such as bark, woodchips or pine needles, but rather pebbles, gravel or paving, etc.
There are many more useful and practical tips. For example see
www.gardenandhome.co.za/gardening/how-to-fireproof-your-garden
www.gardenista.com/posts/landscape-design-10-tips-fire-safe-garden
Be prepared
By following the basic guidelines provided below you will be in a better position to safeguard yourself, your family and your home.
What is a risk assessment?
A risk assessment is a systematic process which involves identifying, analysing, and controlling hazards and risks present in a situation or a place. This decision-making tool aims to determine which measures should be put in place in order to eliminate or control those risks, as well as specify which of them should be prioritised according to the level of likeliness and impact they have.
When do you perform a risk assessment?
The purpose of a risk assessment is to eliminate potential risks and improve the overall safety of the workplace or home. It is your responsibility to perform risk assessments when:
- Moving into a new home or premises,
- Changes are made to the existing home or premises, equipment and appliances,
- New hazards arise,
- Change in mental or physical health.