There was a genuine sense of pride and high spirits at the Hermanus Fire Station on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, as the Overstrand Municipality Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management team welcomed Executive Mayor Alderman Archie Klaas, members of his Mayoral Committee, Director for Overstrand Municipal Public Safety Dawie Adonis, Western Cape Disaster Management Deputy Director Etienne du Toit, and Santam’s Manager of Stakeholder Engagement, Dr Moses Khangale, for the handover of new firefighting and HAZMAT equipment.
Deputy Fire Chief Angelo Aplon kept the morning moving smoothly and in good spirits as the programme director for the event.
The handover will improve the Municipality’s capacity to respond safely and effectively to incidents involving hazardous materials, veldfires and other emergencies.
During the 2025/2026 financial year, R500 000 was allocated to Overstrand Municipality through the Municipal Fire Services Capacity Grant, that is administered by the Western Cape Department of Local Government.
With an additional municipal contribution, the funding enabled the Overstrand Fire Services to acquire high-level Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) gear.
The equipment includes:
• 4 x Level A Responder Suits (CPS 7900) – valued at R70 600 each, excluding VAT). These gas-tight suits provide maximum protection against hazardous substances
• 4 x Level B Splash Suits (SPC 4900) – providing protection against hazardous liquids and splashes
• 2 x Thermal Imaging Cameras to assist firefighters in locating people and heat sources in smoke-filled or low-visibility conditions
• 6 x Oversized Over-Drums – used to safely contain and isolate toxic waste
• Specialised gloves and multi-coloured lane demarcation cones to protect fire crew and secure dangerous incident scenes while guiding personnel safely
The Municipality also received firefighting equipment valued at R374 242 from Santam through its Partnerships for Risk and Resilience (P4RR) programme. This includes two Bluetooth flow meters, a positive pressure ventilation (PPV), ten 25 mm hoses and four foam tube nozzles. The flow meters will enable firefighters to measure water pressure at hydrants, while the PPV will be particularly useful during structural fires to remove smoke from the burning dwelling.
Fire Chief Lester Smith explained that municipal fire services rely heavily on co-funding like this to keep response capacity up to standard.
“It is not only about equipment. It is also about Provincial Government investing in our staff and making sure our firefighters receive the training and courses they need.”
Highlighting the growing pressures on local responders, Etienne du Toit, Deputy Director for Fire and Rescue Services at the Department of Local Government, stated that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, while rapid urban growth puts extra strain on municipal services.
He emphasised that investing in frontline firefighters is a direct investment in the long-term safety and resilience of every Western Cape community.
The firefighters were particularly pleased with the inclusion of two Bluetooth flowmeters – the first in the Overstrand. These meters allow firefighters to accurately measure water pressure at fire hydrants across the municipal area and immediately identify weak spots in the network.
Santam’s contribution also featured a Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) fi, an essential tool for managing smoke and controlling it during structural fires and veldfires, along with ten 25 mm fire hoses and four foam tube nozzles.
Dr Moses Khangale, Manager for Stakeholder Programmes at Santam, said Santam has a strong footprint in the Western Cape and explained that the initiative is designed to help selected municipalities reduce their vulnerability to fire, flood, and storm disasters.
He noted that everybody, including the private sector, has a clear duty to help manage fire risk, pointing out that local economic growth relies on areas remaining safe enough for businesses and homes to secure insurance coverage.
Dr Khangale stressed the importance of looking after the new equipment, urging the fire crew to maintain it well.
“If you look after your equipment, it energises us to do more,” he said, noting that responsible maintenance gives partners the confidence to continue investing in municipal safety.
Executive Mayor Alderman Archie Klaas thanked both the Western Cape Government and Santam for their support, saying the investment was about more than simply adding new equipment. It strengthens the Municipality’s capacity, builds partnerships and ensures that firefighters are better prepared to protect lives, property and livelihoods during emergencies.
“For our firefighters, protective equipment is not a luxury. It is an essential part of ensuring that they can safely enter dangerous environments and carry out their duties effectively.”
