A cool overcast morning welcomed the 242 runners who ran the inaugural Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) Nuweberg Trail Challenge in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Volunteer Wildfire Services opens a new base dedicated to the South Peninsula Frequent wildfires are becoming more erratic and intense in the Western Cape. Therefore
It’s time for the annual VWS Open Day 2018! It is once again at the Newlands Forest Fire Base in Newlands Forest on the 24th
VWS Chairman Jon-Jon Emary chats to 5FM’s DJ Fix about the Volunteer Wildfire Services, what the organisation does and how to get involved.
Aleks Jablonska, pictured centre right with arms raised, a seasoned firefighter from Newlands Firebase spoke to Heart FM’s Aiden Thomas. Listen this inspiring woman talk
VWS Chairperson Jon-Jon Emary spoke to John Maytham about the Fire Risk Assessment which was done using funding received from the public through direct support and the Primedia Radiothon. The VWS was able to make funding available for an extensive 18-month risk assessment to be done on the entire westward of the Cape Peninsula, the majority of which is covered by the Table Mountain National Park.
Working together with the Noordhoek community and the Chapman’s Peak Neighbourhood Watch, our South Peninsula Station, also known as VWS SPS, has found a new base at the Noordhoek Community Centre.
Over the past two or so months, the VWS with the project lead by SPS, have started renovations and upgrades at the community centre so that we can be ready and settled-in before the next fire season starts towards the end of October 2018.
There is no dignified way to come off a mountain in the dark, with a howling gale gusting up to 60km/h, on a perilously steep descent with uncertain footing, fighting your way through chest-high fynbos.
Your mode of perambulation is like an 18-month-old late-walking baby, who stands up for the first time, and lurches from place to place, on the very edge of balance, yet miraculously remains upright.
So the VWS Trail challenge for 2018 has been and gone. Thank you to everybody who turned out on the day and ran with us.
By Kylie Paul – a VWS Marshall’s perspective Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the day had finally come. And what a day it was! Driving to base