Detection
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FIRE DETECTION ZFPS has 16 FireHawk cameras operating in the Zululand Coastal area. These cameras are supplied and maintained by Alasia Marketing cc.The human factor in the manned lookouts has been found to be unreliable and has resulted in unacceptable delays in reporting of fires; hence the development of Computer based detection systems. Basically the systems work as follows: - Cameras are mounted on masts, which can be as high as 72 meters; they are powered by 12-volt batteries and recharged by either solar panels or wind chargers. Each Camera covers a radius of 6 to 8 kilometres but will, visibility permitting, detect a fire up to 20 kilometres away. The live video image is transmitted via microwave back to the Operations Centre, which can be up to 65 kms away. The images are analyzed and the alarm is sounded if a fire is detected. Each Camera scans the Horizon every 3 minutes and fires can be cross-referenced from different cameras to determine the exact location. A Geographic Information System is attached to the detection system to enable the operator to provide fire fighters with all necessary information that would assist with the fighting of the fire. Incoming video images are stored on a 24-hr Video recorder and can be used during post mortems. If the operator does not react to an alarm the system will sound a siren and then phone management. A log is also kept in the system that records all movements of the camera and any input made by the operator. The operations centre accumulates weather information, produces forecasts, positions aircraft and ground resources, maintains up to date fire statistics and deploys fire fighters. The ability of the operations centre to have “eyes” over the Plantations greatly reduces reaction time and results in fires being smaller and less costly.
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