Shack fires reduced due to firefighting project

By Chanel September
16 April 2007

A groundbreaking firefighting project has been launched in Cape Town.

Operation Firewatch is making a difference, as since its implementation there has been a decrease in the number of shacks destroyed during the day.

Fires are identified though strategically placed cameras that send live images to a centralised computer-monitoring centre.

A fixed-wing bomber aircraft and helicopter then drops Class A1 foam to contain and cool the fire.

The cameras are monitored around the clock at the Goodwood Fire Control centre making fire dispatchers able to send aerial and ground fire crews, to shack fires across the city.

Cape Town's acting fire chief Sebastian Martin told a weekend paper it is difficult to pinpoint how many houses Operation Firewatch had already affected, but he was certain that thousands had been saved by the use of helicopters.