DFW Fire & Rescue NPC

15/11/2025

There is only one way to prevent this and we keep on saying this: an all out full response by all parties at the first sign of a fire....now it is to fragmented, to little and to late.

15/11/2025

The Hidden Realities of Field and Forest Fires — And the Moral Dilemma Faced by the DFW Fire & Rescue NPC Paarl Western Cape SA.

Paarl, 14 November 2025

When people speak about veld, field, and forest fires, the conversation usually focuses on smoke plumes, burnt land, or the risk to homes and infrastructure. But beneath the surface lies a far more complex and painful reality — one that few consider, yet one that matters deeply.

The Unseen Victims of Every Fire

In the rural Drakenstein region, any uncontrolled fire poses a real threat to human life. Suppression efforts are therefore prioritised, and where risks are manageable, fires are sometimes allowed to burn toward natural boundaries until they run out of fuel. Operationally, this may be considered a “success.”
But what remains behind is often scorched soil, charred shrubs… and countless silent casualties.

Birds desperately circling burning bushes, unable to save their chicks.Tortoises and small mammals cooked alive where they hide.Weaver colonies watching nests reduced to ash.Snakes, slow and unable to outrun flames, left with no escape.

These tragedies unfold out of sight — not out of consequence. And with the intensity of recent fire seasons increasing year after year, these losses are growing. It has become too easy to blame “climate change” as a convenient explanation. At DFW, with more than 10 years of experience and over 1,500 fire responses behind us, we believe the truth is far more layered.

A Growing Region With Stagnant Capacity

The Drakenstein valley has seen significant growth in residents, tourism, agriculture, and human activity in recent years. Yet municipal and district fire services have not expanded at the same pace.

This imbalance creates an undeniable reality:
More people. More risks. More fires. But not enough official capacity.

And so the responsibility shifts — often quietly — onto volunteer responders like the Drakenstein Farm Watch (DFW) Fire & Rescue unit.

The Moral and Legal Dilemma We Face

DFW is a privately funded, volunteer-driven emergency response group. Our mandate allows us to operate on member-owned properties and on incidents where a formal request or activation has been issued.

But what about fires:

on municipal land?on unregistered private farms?on district-managed reserves?or in places where no mandate or funding exists?

Legislation, operational protocols, cost burdens, and liability concerns often force us to stand down, even while we watch a fire develop into something life-threatening for humans, animals, and nature alike.

This is the moral dilemma:
Do we step in without mandate and any form of remuneration for costs and even risk legal threats or official down play— or do we step back and watch devastation unfold?

DFW’s Record: Fast, Effective, and Community-Driven

Thanks to our extensive radio network and our community-based reporting system, we receive notification of most fires in their earliest phase. That early detection, paired with rapid deployment of our powerful 4x4 fire trucks and tankers, allows us to stop many fires before they become disastrous.

Over the past decade, we have fought more than 1,500 fires, without remuneration, and often without even acknowledgment.

Yet we do this because we believe:

A fire is everybody’s business.A fast response with sufficient resources is the key to saving land, animals, and lives.Communication and coordination among all responders is non-negotiable.

At present, this communication is totally lacking — especially from authorities who seldom engage with us, even when we are already on the ground.

Where Do We Go From Here?

We ask — on behalf of the thousands of animals whose lives depend on the decisions made this fire season — whether we can allow common sense to prevail.

If community volunteers, municipal services, landowners, and the public can stand together in coordinated action, Drakenstein becomes safer for everyone:

safer for peoplesafer for farmssafer for wildlifesafer for our shared natural heritage

DFW Fire & Rescue as a Non Profit company is willing, capable, and experienced.
What we need now is cooperation, communication, and a shared understanding that protecting our valley, is a collective responsibility.

Fires do not care about boundaries, mandates, or jurisdictions.
And neither should our response.

Daan van Leeuwen Boomkamp
CEO DFW Fire & Rescue NPC

Elna Von Schlicht Paarl Post Drakenstein Municipality Paarl Crime, Incidents in SA And Traffic INFO Santam Insurance Premier Alan Winde Maroela Media Rasaad Adams - Journalist EJ Breakingnews SABC News Western Cape Safequip - Quality Fire Solutions Atlantic Fire & Rescue Garine DeWet Drakenstein Sakekamer

14/11/2025

The Hidden Realities of Field and Forest Fires — And the Moral Dilemma Faced by DFW Fire & Rescue

Paarl, 14 November 2025

When people speak about veld, field, and forest fires, the conversation usually focuses on smoke plumes, burnt land, or the risk to homes and infrastructure. But beneath the surface lies a far more complex and painful reality — one that few consider, yet one that matters deeply.

The Unseen Victims of Every Fire

In the rural Drakenstein region, any uncontrolled fire poses a real threat to human life. Suppression efforts are therefore prioritised, and where risks are manageable, fires are sometimes allowed to burn toward natural boundaries until they run out of fuel. Operationally, this may be considered a “success.”
But what remains behind is often scorched soil, charred shrubs… and countless silent casualties.

Birds desperately circling burning bushes, unable to save their chicks.Tortoises and small mammals cooked alive where they hide.Weaver colonies watching nests reduced to ash.Snakes, slow and unable to outrun flames, left with no escape.

These tragedies unfold out of sight — not out of consequence. And with the intensity of recent fire seasons increasing year after year, these losses are growing. It has become too easy to blame “climate change” as a convenient explanation. At DFW, with more than 10 years of experience and over 1,500 fire responses behind us, we believe the truth is far more layered.

A Growing Region With Stagnant Capacity

The Drakenstein valley has seen significant growth in residents, tourism, agriculture, and human activity in recent years. Yet municipal and district fire services have not expanded at the same pace.

This imbalance creates an undeniable reality:
More people. More risks. More fires. But not enough official capacity.

And so the responsibility shifts — often quietly — onto volunteer responders like the Drakenstein Farm Watch (DFW) Fire & Rescue unit.

The Moral and Legal Dilemma We Face

DFW is a privately funded, volunteer-driven emergency response group. Our mandate allows us to operate on member-owned properties and on incidents where a formal request or activation has been issued.

But what about fires:

on municipal land?on unregistered private farms?on district-managed reserves?or in places where no mandate or funding exists?

Legislation, operational protocols, cost burdens, and liability concerns often force us to stand down, even while we watch a fire develop into something life-threatening for humans, animals, and nature alike.

This is the moral dilemma:
Do we step in without mandate and any form of remuneration for costs and even risk legal threats or official down play— or do we step back and watch devastation unfold?

DFW’s Record: Fast, Effective, and Community-Driven

Thanks to our extensive radio network and our community-based reporting system, we receive notification of most fires in their earliest phase. That early detection, paired with rapid deployment of our powerful 4x4 fire trucks and tankers, allows us to stop many fires before they become disastrous.

Over the past decade, we have fought more than 1,500 fires, without remuneration, and often without even acknowledgment.

Yet we do this because we believe:

A fire is everybody’s business.A fast response with sufficient resources is the key to saving land, animals, and lives.Communication and coordination among all responders is non-negotiable.

At present, this communication is totally lacking — especially from authorities who seldom engage with us, even when we are already on the ground.

Where Do We Go From Here?

We ask — on behalf of the thousands of animals whose lives depend on the decisions made this fire season — whether we can allow common sense to prevail.

If community volunteers, municipal services, landowners, and the public can stand together in coordinated action, Drakenstein becomes safer for everyone:

safer for peoplesafer for farmssafer for wildlifesafer for our shared natural heritage

DFW Fire & Rescue as a Non Profit company is willing, capable, and experienced.
What we need now is cooperation, communication, and a shared understanding that protecting our valley, is a collective responsibility.

Fires do not care about boundaries, mandates, or jurisdictions.
And neither should our response.

Daan van Leeuwen Boomkamp
CEO DFW Fire & Rescue NPC

Early Wildfire Surge | The Western Cape is battling an unprecedented early wave of wildfires, with flames ripping through the Overberg, Cape Winelands, and even parts of Cape Town. From treacherous mountain blazes to fires displacing over 200 people in Maitland, firefighters and volunteers are working tirelessly to protect homes, farms, and communities.

Minister Anton Bredell urges vigilance and coordination as the province braces for a challenging fire season.

Follow us for updates and be part of the conversation on - https://ow.ly/Gt1k50XrFGq

13/11/2025

Driver looses control and lands in ditch.

DFW Emergency response requested, victim allegedly injured and stuck in vehicle.

Paarl, 13 November 2025.

A request reached the DFW EFARs ( Emergency First Aid Responders) to respond to a single motor vehicle accident at Bodal road Dal Josafat Area Paarl.

As first medical responders on site, the team examined the victim, who already saw his leg bandaged by a bystander, secured the area with help of local police and later handed over the patient to the EMS metro Ambulance team, with whom the DFW Fire & Rescue NPC has a very good working relationship.

Drakenstein traffic assisted greatly with traffic, as on the accident spot most people drive much to fast, resulting in many accidents before.

The DFW EFAR crew are all volunteers, who go out, day and night, to assist anybody injured or in distress.

We hope the man recovers fully.

DFW Fire & Rescue NPC ( non profit)
084 752 8120

Drakenstein Municipality Paarl Post Santam Insurance Paarl Crime, Incidents in SA And Traffic INFO Maroela Media Rasaad Adams - Journalist SABC News Western Cape EJ Breakingnews Elna Von Schlicht Premier Alan Winde Drakenstein Sakekamer

12/11/2025

Fire fighting is a risky but also a very expensive excersise. We wish our colleques are speedy recovery.

11/11/2025

Paarl, 11th November 2025 Our team of fantastic brave and dedicated profesional volunteers are ready...They need your support to preserve our future.

09/11/2025

How a fire starts...by stupidity!!

And how it was suppressed with smart technology and a fast response.

Drama prevented by DFW Fire & Rescue NPC responders.

Paarl, 09 November 2025.

At around 05.02 Sunday morning, the heat sensing alarm system on a Farm at Sonstraal road sounded and initiated a DFW response.

Workers cleaned the open fire place and left the ashes in the plastic wheel barrow, only to self ignite at least 24 hrs later...it shows us all how long a fire can linger and how an early detection system can save your property.

The wheelbarrow caught alight next to the tool container and a drama would have surely followed.

Weather conditions are extreme dangerous, combined with untoughtfull behaviors of all kind, causes many fires.

This one, luckily was turned into a NON event by a very fast response.

The DFW proves time after time, to be highly successful in their approach and results.

A radio controlroom, a highly dedicated response team and ultra modern fire fighting equipment, form a very secure line of defense for many households.

Join the DFW today as a member of the family.

This afternoon, one can find a DFW 4x4 heavy duty tanker/ pumper and crew at the FARM Kitchen at De Leeuwenhof Estate Guesthouse at the Sonstraal road between 12.00 and 16.00 where one can see and USE the powerful lines.

DFW Fire & Rescue npc
Private fire response at its best.
084 752 8120 ( also whatsapp )

Paarl Crime, Incidents in SA And Traffic INFO Santam Insurance Drakenstein Municipality Safequip - Quality Fire Solutions Rasaad Adams - Journalist Paarl Post

07/11/2025

Messages received in DFW emergency controlroom, about 2 vehicles colliding Lemoenkloof area and later about a woman hit by car klein drakenstein road.

DFW EFAR ( emergency first aid responders) crew to respond in minutes.

Paarl, 7 November 2025

Earlier today, the DFW received a call about a traffic accident in Foxglove street Lemoenkloof area.
3 DFW emergency responders were on site in minutes and took control of the scene.
1 gentleman was treated on site and via DFW members the Metro Ambulance was notified and dispatched.

Well done Tessa vlb, Sean King and Ricardo Cant and our EMS friends from metro rescue and Ambulance services.

Later in the afternoon, again an accident, this time at Klein Drakenstein Road, whereby a lady got hit by a small bus.
The DFW received the call and again in minutes, the woman was treated by DFW advanced EFAR Anthea Carlse.

It was agreed, that the woman would be taken to hospital for further examination by the unlucky driver of the bus, with her husband to follow.

Accidents and fire have no agenda and hit indiscriminately. The DFW tries to assist where possible.

We wish both patients a speedy recovery.

The Private non profit DFW Fire & Rescue NPC plays its role. All these events are dealt with on a pro bono bases and will continue, same as any fire fight as long as the privaye budget lasts.

Emergency nr DFW 0847528120 ( also whatsapp).

07/11/2025

We try to empower the community in the fight against Fire, and not only with knowledge!...and it proves spot on.

07/11/2025

Empowering the community.

DFW Fire & Rescue as private non profit driven fire response entity from Paarl, continues it's mission to empower communities in the fight against Fire.

Paarl, 7th November 2025

Another willing and capable young man was trained and now qualified in Fire and Emergency First Aid Response.

The DFW believes in a decentralized fire response protocol, whereby the community, be it farmers, property owners or informal settlement residents, all become enabled to start a fire suppression.

The recruits all receive official certificates, whereby even the EFAR training is certified via EMS Ambulance services and their departments. The idea is that we all should be able to fit a fire suite or run a medical response bag and assist our fellow man and at least be capable to hold the line till extra help arrives.

DFW EFARs and CER ( Community Emergency responders) all are kitted and supplied with fire estinghuisers and first aid bags, jackets, helmets, gloves and whatever else they need to perform a first successful response. On a fire fight, they are trained and capable to assist the DFW fire truck crew to jointly suppress the fire in their own community.

The DFW approach proves very successful as the first knock right at the startup on any fire is the best one.
Never heard of these attempts ?, ..that is exactly the idea as a full suppression of a startup fire actually is a NON event, but should deserve the most praise.

Well done Dayonta, you will make not only us but definitive your family and the community proud.

The DFW will now hold it efforts of training and equipment support, till after the Fire Season April 2026.

DFW Fire & Rescue NPC
0847528120 ( also whatsapp )

On the pictures we see DFW director Anthea Carlse, Handing out the certificate to Dayonta.


Paarl Post Paarl Crime, Incidents in SA And Traffic INFO Drakenstein Municipality Drakenstein Sakekamer Santam Insurance Premier Alan Winde Elna Von Schlicht Safequip - Quality Fire Solutions Maroela Media Rasaad Adams - Journalist SABC News Western Cape EJ Breakingnews Garine DeWet Atlantic Fire & Rescue

05/11/2025

DFW EFAR ( Emergency first aid responders) treat victim of assault. Man stabbed 7 times and lucky to life another day.

Paarl, 5th November 2025.

After a very busy day with fires and accidents, the DFW medical rescue crew received another request for assistance by a farming community at Sonstraal road.

The responders found a 28 year old man, beaten and stabbed after he allegedly wondered over the farms and may have met the wrong group.

After a thorough examination and bandaging by the DFW crew, it was neccesary for immediate hospitalization, and as agreed with EMS metro ambulance services in Paarl, contact was made with head of base mr Terence Klaasen how to do this fastest.
As the DFW EFAR falls under EMS Metro, a profesional dialoque often leads to great results..like now, an ambulance got dispatched, only to arrive 8 minutes later.

The patient was loaded into the EMS metro Ambulance, and we hope he recovers fully.

Thank all responders: Anthea Carlse, Sean King, Ricardo Green and Daan van Leeuwen Boomkamp and special thanks to Livonia from our DFW control centre for a always great coordination.

The DFW Fire & Rescue NPC plays a very important role for especially the Farming communities, who heavily rely on the services in the often remote and difficult to reach farming areas.

All these services are done Pro Bono, as long as budgets lasts.
If people or businesses want to assist in any way, please feel free.

DFW Fire & Rescue NPC
emergency nr 084 752 8120 ( also whatsapp)
Drakensteinfw@gmail.com

Paarl Crime, Incidents in SA And Traffic INFO Paarl Post Maroela Media Safequip - Quality Fire Solutions Rasaad Adams - Journalist EJ Breakingnews Santam Insurance

05/11/2025

3rd structural fire of the day.

Unfortunately we were not informed.

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