a) Human resources capacity:
Since the 2023/2024 Financial Year, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) Fire Services Directorate have been performing annual capacity assessments within Provinces, in particular where little or no capacity exists, to determine the level of support required.
The purpose of the capacity assessments is in an effort to develop a sustained urban search and rescue capability across the country. The assessments assist the NDMC Fire Services to ascertain the necessary human resource capacity and skills and infrastructure required within a particular Province to reduce the level of risk of structural collapses, and water related risks to the community.
b) Financial support to municipalities:
The NDMC is responsible for the establishment as well as development of a Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) capacity through governmental and regulatory frameworks.
Therefore, in the 2024/2025 Financial Year, the NDMC have made budgetary provision for training and development programmes within the assessed Provinces, in order to strengthen USAR capabilities within each province, district, and local municipality in an effort to ensure that they are equipped, and ready to respond to urban search and rescue incidents at various capacities.
End.