NSRI's critical role in firefighting efforts on Hartbeespoort Dam shorefront

In a dramatic response to a rapidly spreading fire on the Hartbeespoort Dam shoreline, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) played a pivotal role in coordinating firefighting efforts.

The fire threatened both homes and the delicate environment around the dam.

Station Commander Arthur Crewe from Station 25 Hartbeespoort Dam explained how the incident unfolded: "The initial report came through from one of my crew members at the base. He saw the fire and immediately reported it. The wind was quite rough, so I thought, 'Let's get a crew together to start monitoring,' if there's no complaint yet, it's very difficult to respond. And at that distance, it still looked like it could be a bushfire."

As multiple emergency calls started coming in, the team quickly realised the logistical challenges posed by the narrow access roads leading into Kosmos, a village at the foot of the dam. They decided to launch two rescue vessels to access the area by water. This decision would prove crucial, allowing for a swift and efficient response.

"We launched two sea rescue vessels," Arthur said. "We needed vessels that day to take firefighting equipment over via water because it's 4.5 km through a little village to get to. I'm talking about narrow roads, single roads getting to where the fire area was. It was quicker for us to launch via boat. Everything for us is quicker by boat."

NSRI's close collaboration with other emergency services was vital to controlling the blaze. Arthur highlighted the importance of communication: "We have a strong working relationship with local emergency services, including Madibeng Fire and Rescue and HEMS. The key to our success in this situation was our ability to coordinate with them effectively. Because we were first on the scene, we took on incident control and directed the other services where they needed to be."

Despite the challenges posed by high winds and rough conditions, the NSRI's ability to operate in difficult terrain was evident. The team's preparedness, honed through regular training exercises, made a significant difference. "We train extensively in a range of emergency scenarios, including firefighting on water," Arthur said. "We had a major training session a month and a half ago on the water where we burned a boat on the dam to do a collaboration of services training."

This incident highlights the critical role the NSRI plays in responding to emergencies around the Hartbeespoort Dam, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. By leveraging their water rescue and firefighting expertise, the NSRI ensured that the fire was tackled swiftly and effectively, protecting both lives and property.

Arthur concluded, "We always plan for large-scale emergencies because that's what Harties is, specifically when it comes to boating, commercial operations, party boats, and then obviously any aircraft type of incidents that could possibly happen on the water."