Community and Safety Services

Director
Nomvula Machelesi

Fire and Disaster Management

The Fire and Disaster Management section is dedicated to safeguarding Kouga Local Municipality and its residents from the devastating impact of fires and other emergencies. The section is committed to proactive fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and rapid response to disasters, ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.

Key Responsibilities

Fire Prevention and Safety

The section implements fire prevention measures, conducts inspections, and provides guidance to businesses and residents to mitigate fire risks and promote fire safety practices.

Emergency Response

The trained and dedicated emergency response teams manage diverse emergencies, including fires, natural disasters, and hazardous incidents, to protect lives, property, and the environment swiftly and effectively.

Disaster Preparedness and Planning

The section develops and coordinates disaster preparedness plans, ensuring that the municipality is equipped to respond decisively to emergencies and minimize their impact on the community.

Public Safety Education

The section organises educational programmes and outreach efforts to raise awareness about fire safety, disaster preparedness, and emergency response protocols within our municipality.

Services and Programmes

Fire Safety Inspections

Routine inspections are conducted, and guidance provided to businesses, public facilities, and residential properties to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and to reduce fire hazards.

Emergency Response Services

Rapid and proficient emergency response services are offered, including fire suppression, search and rescue, medical support, and hazard mitigation to address various emergencies.

Community Disaster Preparedness Workshops

Workshops and training sessions are conducted to empower residents with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively respond to emergencies and safeguard their families and properties.

Public Information Campaigns

Critical safety information and emergency alerts are disseminated through various communication channels to keep residents informed and prepared for potential disasters or emergencies. 

Community Involvement and Collaboration

Collaboration with community partners, stakeholders, and emergency response agencies is pivotal. The section works closely with local organisations, schools, and community groups to foster a culture of preparedness, resilience, and community-based support in the face of emergencies.

Parks and Community Amenities

The Parks and Community Amenities section takes pride in enriching the lives of Kouga Local Municipality residents and visitors by overseeing parks, recreational facilities, and public amenities, ensuring that our community has access to vibrant outdoor spaces that promote wellness and leisure activities. 

Key Responsibilities

Park Maintenance and Beautification

The dedicated team is responsible for the maintenance and enhancement of public parks, ensuring that these green spaces are inviting, safe, and conducive to community gatherings and recreational activities.

Recreational Facility Management

The section oversees the management and upkeep of recreational facilities, such as sports fields, playgrounds, and community centers, to provide residents with diverse opportunities for physical activity and social engagement.

Event Coordination and Programming

The team organises and supports a variety of community events, festivals, and recreational programs, fostering a sense of community spirit and providing enjoyable experiences for residents of all ages.

Library Services

The teams include from circulation services, reference services, online information services, inter library loans, and information literacy skills training. These are the resources, activities, programs, etc which provided by libraries to enable users meet their information needs.

Services and Programmes

Park Maintenance and Upkeep

The section ensures that public parks are well-maintained, clean, and equipped with facilities that promote outdoor recreation and relaxation for residents and visitors.

Recreation Programs and Activities

the section offers a diverse array of recreational programs, sports activities, and cultural events designed to cater to the interests and needs of individuals and families within the community.

Community Event Support

The section provides assistance and coordination for community-driven events and activities, contributing to the vibrancy and connectedness of our municipality.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

Collaboration with community organisations, local businesses, and residents is central to the section’s commitment to creating and maintaining exceptional parks and amenities. The section actively seeks input and feedback from the community to ensure that our initiatives align with their needs and aspirations. 

Safety and Security

The Safety and Security section within Kouga Local Municipality is dedicated to ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of all residents within the municipality. The section is committed to implementing and maintaining effective measures to safeguard the community and enhance the quality of life for all.

Key Focus Areas

Law Enforcement

The dedicated team of law enforcement officers is responsible for enforcing local bylaws, traffic regulations, and other laws to promote a safe and orderly community.

Emergency Response

The section works closely with emergency response agencies to effectively respond to and manage various emergencies, including natural disasters, accidents, and public safety incidents.

Community Policing

Emphasising collaboration and partnership with community members, the section engages in community policing initiatives to build trust, address concerns, and create safer neighborhoods.

Crime Prevention

Through proactive strategies and partnerships with local organisations, the section implements programmes and initiatives to prevent crime, reduce risks, and enhance public safety.

Services and Programmes

Neighborhood Watch Programmes

The section supports and encourages the formation of neighborhood watch programmess to empower residents to keep their communities safe and secure.

Safety Education and Awareness

The section provides educational resources and awareness campaigns on a range of safety topics, including fire safety, road safety, personal security, and crime prevention.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

The section actively engages with community groups, businesses, schools, and other stakeholders to foster collaborative efforts in enhancing safety and security throughout the municipality. By building strong relationships, they aim to create a united front in addressing safety concerns and promoting a secure environment for all residents.

Waste and Environmental Management

The Waste and Environmental Management section is responsible for integrated waste management, implementing environmentally sustainable practices and environmental health services.

The following services are rendered:

Waste Collection, Disposal and Recycling

The section provides waste collection, treatment and disposal services of solid waste material that is discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful. Promoting the separation of recyclable materials from general waste and promoting the implementation of the waste hierarchy.

Landfill Management

The section ensures the safe disposal of non-hazardous waste that can’t be recycled, composted, or re-used. The section implements measures to minimize environmental contamination and maintains compliance with landfill permit conditions and waste disposal regulations.

Public Awareness

The section conducts educational campaigns to raise awareness among residents about climate change, waste minimization, recycling, responsible waste disposal practices, environmental health, and environmental responsibilities.

Environmental and Nature Conservation

The section works to protect and preserve natural resources. This includes initiatives to maintain biodiversity, manage protected areas, and promote sustainable land use. Focussing on protecting species from extinction, maintaining, and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services, and protecting biological diversity, creating opportunities for residents to connect with nature through designated conservation areas and eco-friendly initiatives.

Environmental Compliance

The section ensures adherence to environmental laws and regulations, collaborating with local, district, provincial, and national authorities, and environmental organizations to enforce responsible environmental practices.

Green Initiatives

By encouraging green practices, such as promoting eco-friendly products, reducing single-use plastics, tree planting, and the removal of alien vegetation, aiming to minimize the ecological footprint in Kouga. The section works with community organizations to implement sustainable circular economy initiatives and address climate change.

Coastal Management

The section promotes integrated and sustainable coastal and estuarine management to ensure a balance between socio-economic development and the coastal and marine ecology. As well as ensuring an effective coastal zone management system through the compliance monitoring and enforcement of all coastal regulations.

Environmental/Municipal Health Services

The section is responsible for water quality, health surveillance of premises, pauper burials, exhumations and reburials, surveillance and prevention of communicable diseases, vector control, evaluation of cemeteries, mortuaries, and funeral undertakers’ premises, business registration, hawker programs, and animal care.