Join VWS
- Do you enjoy spending time in the outdoors?
- Do you have a passion for conservation?
- Can you function as part of a team?
- Do you want to assist your local community?
- Do you have spare time to commit to a volunteer organisation?
- Do you want to meet new, similar-minded people from all walks of life?
- If you have answered yes to more than a few of the above questions, why not consider volunteering for Volunteer Wildfire Services?
"For me the special moment is when we come off the line, and seeing the response and appreciation from the different communities by the fire.
It can be really emotional."
Recruitment
Each year (generally March and early April) the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) opens up our doors for new volunteers, this allows us to ensure that the prerequisite training is completed during the winter months (late April to October) and that both our new members and existing alike have had the opportunity to both refresh and learn critical skills in order to keep them safe on the fire line.
We are looking for individuals who are interested in fulfilling one or more of the below roles:
Who can volunteer with VWS?
- are at least 18 years of age
- are medically fit
- have regular email and cellphone access
- and have reliable transport to one of our bases
Where is the VWS based?
VWS is based in the Western Cape, with four stations located at:
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
You don’t need any qualifications or prior experience. We will provide all the training required for you to fulfil your preferred role.
However, being an outdoors person who enjoys hiking will be an asset to becoming a volunteer wildland firefighter. What we do is physically demanding and can involve quite a bit of hiking with packs, as we are generally deployed away from roads.
For those who would like to just help behind the scene, with events or fundraising, this is not needed, just a passion to help the community and support the work of the firefighters.
THE NEXT STEPS IN RECRUITMENT
The current recruitment period is now closed, but we don’t want you to miss the next intake so please “Register your Interest” below so we can contact you when we open up recruitment again. When we do host another round of recruitment, you will need to attend a VWS Information session with us – this last recruitment this was done in a virtual setting.
Once you have attended an Information Session and completed an application form (available only after attending an Information Session), you will undergo training in the Winter months or become part of our event and fundraising team.
This involves skills and fitness training in the form of hikes and scenarios. You will need to complete a compulsory orientation, numerous training sessions and a full weekend theory course to qualify with us as an active firefighter. Those wishing to do other roles like drivers or logistics have different requirements.
Further information about training, fire season and all the other requirements of joining will be available at the Information Sessions when they take place. Experienced members will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Information Sessions for the current period have now been completed but you can still let us know you are keen to join.
In the meantime also stay tuned to our social media pages on other ways you can help our check out our how you can donate to the VWS cause (www.vws.org.za/support-us/ )
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VolunteerWildfireServices
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vwsfires
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vwsfires/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vwsfires/
If you have any questions please contact the relevant station as follows:
•Newlands – nwl.memberservices@vws.org.za
•South Peninsula – sps.memberservices@vws.org.za
•Stellenbosch/Helderberg – stb.memberservices@vws.org.za