The Botswana Fire Management Program (2012 Laurie Lavelle Award winner) is facilitated by the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) to assist bush fire prone Botswana to develop a coordinated firefighting model.

Botswana is about three quarters the size of NSW with a population of 1.8 million. Large scale fires race through Botswana each year, with an above average fire season every 2 years e.g:
• 1994 NSW fires burnt 800,000 hectares
• 2009 Victorian fires burnt 450,000 hectares
• Botswana fires burnt 10 million hectares in 2008 and 13.1million hectares in 2010

Botswana’s economy depends largely on its diamond exports, which has a 30 year shelf life. Tourism is the next highest earner. Fires directly threaten this economic sector.

The fire fighting ability of the country was very rudimentary to non–existent in places. The effect of frequent fires on fauna and flora is little understood.

Gaining acceptance from the bureaucracy and the community for the need to fight these fires from an emergency management perspective was very difficult. At the village level, there was little acceptance that fires represent significant economic loss and possible long term loss of biodiversity upon which tourism depends.

The NSW RFS (supported by other state and federal partners) began working with the Government of Botswana in 2009. Positive results are already being realised, with a reduction in fire area, fewer casualties and fewer fire instances.

More importantly the people now appreciate the need for fire management and the potential impact of fire. They also better understand the need for voluntary firefighting at the village level.

The presentation will demonstrate the multi-tiered approach used, with practical illustration from Botswana at the village, district and national level.

The final two phases will bring five Botswana firefighters to Australia to gain more knowledge and practical skills.