(Laduuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu……… uuuuuuuuuuuuummmmaaaa!)

Greetings VWS family!

Just when I wasn’t paying attention, winter snuck up on me and sped up time to the middle of June! So this newsletter is a little late – just like me every winter morning. But it’s ok because it means l get to announce some excellent news:

The VWS has just secured a sponsorship from SA Litho for R 120 000.00 for the next year! That’s R120k to add to our budgetary spend, allowing us to achieve better and greater things… responsibly, and within reason. This is most excellent news. (Can you see me smiling and rubbing my hands together?)

SA Litho approached us a short while back as they were very interested in what we do, most particularly as it focuses on the Cape Winelands where many of their label clients are based. Members of the Board and Jonkershoek Management Team members made various presentations at their offices in Parrow, and at a meeting called by them this past Friday they announced the good news. The VWS Board will be discussing how we plan to task these funds, and we hope to be focussing on improving our Education and Awareness Programme for Schools and communities affected by wildfires – particularly adjacent to our new Jonkershoek Station. Jonkershoek has indeed grown in leaps and bounds in just one short year, and this generous donation is testament to their enthusiasm and involvement in all aspects of the VWS.

As I promised in last month’s newsletter, emails from various VWS departments have been coming at you thick and fast! (I get all of them, from everywhere – “Hoekers”, Marketing, Training (both Stations), behind-the-scenes discussions…you should see my inbox when I get back from one of my frequent trips!) Wherever possible, those who have the ability to send you information have been asked to keep it to the point and topical; you are provided with all the information that you need to make informed decisions (I’m the only one who gets to waffle). If you are ever at a loss as to whom to send your queries to, or which wing of the VWS is communicating with you, I recommend you go to www.VWS.co.za where by the end of this month we hope to have a comprehensive list of all the email addresses of various arms of the VWS.

We’re getting into the swing of training as the winter chills things down. Just last week, I joined the 3-hour night-time Scenario Training fitness walk at Newlands. We’ll all have to take part in at least one of these, and I can highly recommend them as an excellent way of guaranteeing a good night’s sleep! It was great mixing new recruits and existing members up and learning who is all about what. Remember: VWS crews do things together – you hike as a group, staying at the pace of the slowest member; you support those around you at all times; you buddy-up. Most of us do this without question, but it bears repeating for some of you.

VWS Station Management Teams are settling in very well, with members stepping up to the plate to assist in various roles. If you’re new to the whole shebang, or you’re normally one of those quieter people on the sidelines, always feel free to volunteer your services for something other than firefighting; only with the enthusiastic contribution of every member can we grow and develop. You’ll meet interesting people, you’ll be energised with new ideas, and you’ll be pleased to know that politics exist everywhere – not just in your workplace or family! But it’s good politics, progressing towards positive decisions and constructive systems to keep the VWS running smoothly.

I hope you’re all enjoying the World Cup gees. It’s good to see everyone getting into the vibe of the whole thing – even on the rainiest of grey days! This past week has seen some epically chilly weather, with snow falling on top of Table Mountain on Monday night… one way of ensuring that the fires stay at bay, I suppose. Enjoy the cold; go walking on your mountain to make sure you stay fit for the fire season that’ll be here in just 4 short months.

I’ll seeya at one of our Scenario Training Sessions.

Cheers,
sTiv
VWS Chairman

Photo attached to article taken by Andrew Hagen of a VWS team working a line at the Kogelberg Nature Reserve Fire Call, Thursday the 3rd June 2010.