During the course of 2009, a total of 3 780 individual informal dwelling units out of approximately 84 000 were affected by fires.

The causes of the fires vary from the illegal use of electricity to malfunctioning heating and cooking devices. Isolated cases of arson have also been recorded.

“If one takes into context the number of dwelling units affected in 2005, which was recorded at 8 864, then the City has gone a long way to reducing this by more than half over the last four years, and we will strive to reduce it even further over the years to come,” says Ian Schnetler, Chief Fire Officer for the City.

To educate people about the dangers of fires, the City’s Disaster Risk Management Department distributes awareness pamphlets to informal settlement areas prior to and during the fire season. This campaign works in tandem with an appeal to employers of people who might live in informal settlements to help spread the awareness message. “Such people can make a big difference in a small way. By taking five minutes to discuss fires and the dangers thereof with their employees, they might just save a life,” says Schnetler.

In an attempt to improve the City’s fire fighting ability in informal settlements and to alleviate the effect of densification in these areas, which make it difficult for Fire Services to access fires in the fastest possible time, seven new fire engines (with 4 x 4 capabilities) were acquired late last year. These have been specifically designed to assist fire fighters in mountainous and informal settlement areas. Disaster Risk Management staff are carrying out pro-active inspections of informal and other areas to recognise risk areas and pre-plan effectively.

The City has repeatedly appealed to members of the public to be careful of starting fires, to be vigilant and to report fires if they spot them. “Many people are reluctant to report fires because they think that someone else has done so. The faster a fire is reported, the faster the City can respond,” says Schnetler.

There are also prohibitions in place on the making of fires in the open air across the Western Cape, due to extraordinary fire hazards. This includes the burning of rubbish or any other material for purposes of disposal – this action is illegal.

Fires can occur anywhere – in informal settlements and in formal structures. To reduce the risk of fires, please note and apply the following tips:

• *Every home needs at least one exit route which will enable the occupants to escape should a fire break out
• Keep matches, lighters, paraffin and poisons in a safe place that is not accessible to children
• Keep stoves on a flat surface, away from draughts and anything that could catch fire
• Open fires and stoves should never be left unattended
• Extinguish candles and paraffin lamps before you go to sleep or leave your home
• Smoking in bed is dangerous
• Keep a bucket of water and a bucket of sand ready to extinguish any fires that break out
• If a paraffin stove catches alight, extinguish the flames with sand rather than water
• Turn off the electricity at the mains before trying to extinguish an electric fire

The new indoor swimming pool was officially opened on Thursday 4 February by Cllr Garin Cavanagh, Chairperson: Community Services Portfolio Committee (Amenities, Sport and Recreation).

“It is a welcome facility, especially for the community of Blue Downs and its surrounds,” said Cavanagh.

The facility is unique in that it uses natural resources and elements, meaning it has less of an impact on the city’s water and electricity resources.

Rainwater is collected in four 10 000 litre silos, which form the four cornerstones of the building housing the pool. The rainwater is then transferred into six 5 000 litre capacity holding tanks inside the building, which are then used to fill the 800 000kl pool.

The water is heated by 100 solar heating panels on the roof. A solanoid detects the panels that are most exposed to absorbing maximum sunlight throughout the day, and controls water flow direction. This heats 80% of the pool’s water. Three heater filter units are programmed to heat the pool to 27 degrees Celsius.

The pool is 25x25m, and can accommodate 10 swimming lanes. It has a seating capacity of 576 on the stands, and the building and pool together can accommodate 950 people.

A senior lifeguard and three seasonal lifeguards are on duty, while five other staff members run the building. Since the pool opened its doors in December, there has been an average of four rescues per day, highlighting not only the importance of having lifeguards, but also of teaching members of the public how to swim.

For this reason, the Learn to Swim and Come and Play programmes are important, and are actively attended. Schools and clubs such as the Blue Downs Swimming Club, Newcar, Khayelitsha Aquatics and The Greater Blue Downs Community-Based Organisation are making use of the facility.

A swimming gala that attracted over 250 youth participants was held in December 2009.

“These areas are still lacking much-needed facilities, and I am sure that by choosing Blue Downs as the spot for the pool, it will inspire the community to use it as their own and also attract other swimmers from the professional ranks to come and exchange their expertise through the City’s Learn to Swim Programmes,” said Cavanagh.

“I am also assured by Swim SA and also WP Aquatics that they are most willing to share their expertise and provide swimming equipment and also bring swimmers to Blue Downs who will qualify in 2013 as professional swimmers.

“In doing so, Blue Downs will also be able to boast that they are part of and instrumental in bringing home some medals in swimming.”

Former Executive Deputy Mayor Gawa Samuels, who is the president of the Blue Downs Swimming Club, has been closely involved in the project since it started in 2003, as part of the mayoral listening campaign at the time.

“It has taken five years to be completed, due to budget constraints, with the R31 million funding spread over that time.”

“This is a poverty trap area, with little recreational facilities, so this will keep the youth and everybody busy with something positive to do,” she said.