DESCRIPTION The firefight initiative basically seeks to mobilise educational tools and equipment to be used in supporting firefight teams and creating new ones.
Areas of activity
capacitation
Capacitate communities and institutes, with education and relevant equipment in the fight against Veld Fires. FIRE OBJECTIVES To distribute and equip One Million fire beaters in Zimbabwe by 2018 To establish and register firefighting teams To training communities and schools on dangers of Fire. :-)
Background
In 2008 Forestry Commission in conjunction with EMA initiated a COMMUNITY BASED FIRE MANAGEMENT (CBFiM) pilot project supported by FAO. Part of its findings was the need to adequately equip communities with appropriate firefighting equipment. It was also noted that having such equipment motivated communities to perform their duties diligently. Training and Equipping resulted in an 80% reduction in fire emergencies. :-)
Preparedness
READINESS – Preparing to fight fires RESPONSE – Ensuring appropriate response to unwanted damaging fires The two approaches define our initiative, that of mobilizing and equipping communities with appropriate tools in Readiness to respond effectively. We have called this campaign fireFIGHT as it aptly addresses challenges faced by communities. WHY FIGHT FIRES Zimbabwe is losing close to 300000ha of land every year due to veld fires and simultaneously producing 15% of the countries carbon emissions. Veld fires have been cited as the single most devastating threat to the environment, humans and property. The impacts of these emissions make it a climate change issue demanding our immediate response and action. :-)
Education
Fire beater: This item, also known as a bush beater, consists of a heavy-duty broom handle with strips of conveyer-belt rubber on the one end. This is used to beat and smother the flames. If looked after properly it can be used for 4 seasons. b) Whistle: Used to alarm community of a fire outbreak. c) Fire Knapsack tank: This is simply a spray tank, much like the one used by gardeners to spray pesticides and herbicides. The difference is that the knapsack tank has a volume of 16 - 25 litres, and has greater spray ability, at possible distances of 10 -15 metres. Sponsors can stick their adverts on these. e) Fire Danger Index – Sign Boards: Used to inform the public of the conditions for a potential fire and sponsors can advertise on these boards as they will be placed at a vantage point in the community ideally near a school, College, university, shops or along the Highway. :-)
BENEFITS OF YOUR INVOLVEMENT
Advertise your brand, products or your company logo Become socially responsible Promote and improve your corporate image Become eco-friendly partner by getting involved. Become a firefight Partner Increased brand awareness and recognition Positive Consumer purchasing and investment decision Mitigation of carbon footprint Regeneration of forests (UN MDG 7) Creation of employment, poverty alleviation and food security The country will benefit from improved Eco-Tourism Reclaim land for agriculture Tap into global carbon trading network To have a new generation of green citizens :-)
