Various Fire Protection Associations Representative and Farmers Associations members have requested  to be given ample time to consult with their members before a new establishment of John Taolo Gaetsewe District Fire Protection Associations (FPAS) and Fire Management Units can be formed in the District. This has emerged in a heated meeting between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Agriculture Kuruman, Provincial Disaster Team and various Fire Protection Associations in Kuruman. The purpose of the meeting was to embark on a Provincial drive to establish District Fire Protection  Association.The establishment of District Fire Protection Associations across the Province is to align itself in terms of the National Forest and Veld Fire Act of 101 (NVFFA)the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002.

Fire Protection Associations Representative raised various concerns such as disbandment of Local Fires Associations as it will create a huge vacuum amongst farmers. Also it will create a challenge when farmers experience veld fires in their farms. However the Department and the Disaster assured them that nothing will be disbanded instant it will be just a better coordination. 

Currently the are 27 Associations in the Province. The newly established structures will assist to ensure smooth participation of organs of state and relevant stakeholders within the Fire Management Sector.The currently established Fire Protection Associations in the Province are not aligned with municipal boundaries. Therefore the is a need for this alignment to be able to comply with the provision of the Disaster Management Framework and the NVFFA. The team has managed successfully in Namakwa and ZF Mgcawu District to establish a committee that will allow the ball to roll. However in Pixley the FPAs has also requested the Department and Disaster Management to go back and consult.

After consultation with their members, both the Department and the Disaster Management will be notify of the date of the next meeting. The Francis Baard deliberations was supposed to be the last stop on the 29th, however the team has to come back to John Taolo Gaetsewe and Pixley ka Seme Districts for another engagements with Fire Protection  Associations Representatives and Agri Northern Cape Union.