Blaze reignites fire station outcry in Jan Kempdorp

THE DEMOCRATIC Alliance (DA) in Phokwane has urged the Frances Baard District Municipality (FBDM) to expedite the process of making the newly built fire station in Jan Kempdorp operational, following a fire incident that exposed the community’s vulnerability.

The call follows a fire over the weekend in which a lucerne truck caught alight near a petrol station in Jan Kempdorp. Although the blaze was contained, concerns were raised about the potential risk to nearby infrastructure. Firefighting assistance could not be summoned as the area has no operational fire station.

According to the DA, Phokwane has never had a functional fire station. In the past, it relied on the South African National Defence Force and local farmers who developed their own firefighting systems. More recently, responsibility for disaster response fell to FBDM, which agreed on the need for a fire station and oversaw the construction of a new facility.

However, the station has stood empty for more than a year, despite tender advertisements for flooring and carports and reports of staff appointments. The DA says there is still no clear information about timelines for the fire station’s operationalisation or whether a new fire truck has been procured.

The DA has since asked the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Bentley Vass, to convene a briefing session between FBDM and Phokwane Municipality to provide clarity on the matter.

FBDM has responded to concerns, stressing that the project was always intended to be implemented in phases due to financial constraints.

“It is important to bear in mind that in order to have a fully operational fire station in Jan Kempdorp, the district municipality had to implement the project in phases, given the financial limitations of FBDM as a grant-dependent municipality,” said Gerline Roman, communications manager for the district municipality.

Roman explained that the old Jan Kempdorp clinic was converted into a fire station and handed over to FBDM in August 2024. Since then, progress has included the procurement of a fully-equipped firefighting engine, firefighting gear, CCTV installations, and the completion of parking bays for fire vehicles. Recruitment of three qualified firefighters is currently at an advanced stage, with operations expected to begin before the end of the third quarter of the current financial year.

In the meantime, FBDM has partnered with the Sol Plaatje Fire Department and Fire Protection Associations to ensure fire and disaster response in the district. A qualified disaster practitioner is also stationed at the Jan Kempdorp facility to carry out regular safety inspections.

“As the project progresses towards operational readiness, the municipality will continue to keep the community informed. Updates will be shared through our established communication platforms, including social media, local radio stations, newspapers, and our municipal newsletter,” Roman added.

While the DA has raised alarm about the dangers of continued delays, FBDM maintains that significant progress has been made and assured residents that a fully functioning fire station is on the horizon.

For now, residents will have to look at that horizon in the hope that promises made will be promises kept.