A fire safety pilot project, with the aim of finding effective ways to prevent the rapid spread of fires in informal settlements, is currently being run in Joe Slovo Park, Milnerton.
The area’s existing informal structures will be painted with protective paint on the inside and brightly coloured acrylic paint on the outside. Each structure will also be fitted with a smoke detector to serve as an early warning system.
If successful, the project will be extended to include approximately 1 030 informal residential structures located in Bekela, Damasco, Ekuphumleni, Kuyasa, Marikana, Mtshiniwam, Enkanini and Siyahlala.
“We are in peak fire season. Every year a number of dwellings and livelihoods are lost as a result of fires that spread rapidly due to the density of informal settlements. This pilot project in Joe Slovo Park is one of the interventions aimed at preventing and mitigating fire disasters in informal settlements,” said Suzette Little, the mayoral committee member for area north.
“Additionally, the smoke detectors will serve as an early warning system to the families in the event of a fire,” said Ms Little.
The project will be phased in over the current and the next financial year. Approximately 45 Expanded Public Works Programme job opportunities will be created for the duration of this project.
