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7 July 2023
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“I can finally relax.” SANParks fire manager retires after 40-year career in conservation
When 66-year-old Philip Prins put on his uniform for his final day of work on Friday, 30 June 2023, he looked back at his career with happy memories. Prins, who has worked as the integrated fire manager for the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) for 25 years, said he had a demanding and challenging job. "The work as a fire manager is demanding and challenging. You are always on standby and [when there is a fire], you must respond immediately," said Prins.
However, he said he enjoyed his job every single day. "Waking up in the morning, I would not say there was any fear [about my job]. There is more excitement."
Prins began his career as an assistant forester at the forestry department in Cederberg in 1980 before moving to Cape Town to become a parks and forest officer in 1983.
He was then promoted to senior parks and forest officer at the forestry department before becoming integrated fire manager at the Table Mountain National Park in 1998.
Prins also worked at the Cape Town city council during his career.
Prins obtained various qualifications, including a national diploma in forestry, a national higher diploma in forestry conservation, a national diploma in parks and recreation management and an advanced diploma in public administration. "I knew early on I wanted to be a forester. I trained as a forester working in different areas. I then became experienced in that field. I also became interested in fire integrated management and studied further to pursue that," he said.
He said he had many career highlights, including playing a meaningful role in establishing organisations across Cape Town to help combat fires. "In 2002, we helped to establish the Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Association, which has since been expanded to cover the entire metropolitan area. We also started the Volunteer Wildfire Services in 1999. It took a lot of time and dedication but now they are a successful unit that helps out various district municipalities," said Prins.
When asked about any particular fires he can remember combatting, Prins said all fires were an experience on their own, but some were stuck in his memory.
He said, “The biggest fires we experienced were the fires in 2000 and the Cape Town fire in 2015, which continued for over two weeks. But the fire that stands out for me started in Philip Kgosana Drive in 2021. It had such a different fire behaviour, which spread so quickly. We tried everything we could to stop it initially but we couldn't.
South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson Lauren Clayton said Prins had dedicated over two decades of his life to serving SANParks and would be leaving an indelible mark on the organisation and the ecosystems it manages. "His unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and exceptional leadership and vision has been pivotal in shaping TMNP's fire management practices," she said.
Despite his work at SANParks ending, Prins said he would continue to work with the Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Association.
However, he hopes to take advantage of his free time by spending it with family, reading and hiking. "I must credit my wife, Fidiona; she has always been very supportive. We even married at the Cederberg Fire Station without electricity. We walk daily in Newlands Forest and I hope we can do more hiking," he said.
"My son is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and I have three grandchildren. The last time I saw them was in 2018. I hope I get to see them."
Sources: Philip Prins, South African National Parks, News 24
Quote of the week
“But one major thing a hero is to me is someone who helps, listens and heals.” ~ Storm Lake St Mary’s
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However, he said he enjoyed his job every single day. "Waking up in the morning, I would not say there was any fear [about my job]. There is more excitement."
Prins began his career as an assistant forester at the forestry department in Cederberg in 1980 before moving to Cape Town to become a parks and forest officer in 1983.
He was then promoted to senior parks and forest officer at the forestry department before becoming integrated fire manager at the Table Mountain National Park in 1998.
Prins also worked at the Cape Town city council during his career.
Prins obtained various qualifications, including a national diploma in forestry, a national higher diploma in forestry conservation, a national diploma in parks and recreation management and an advanced diploma in public administration. "I knew early on I wanted to be a forester. I trained as a forester working in different areas. I then became experienced in that field. I also became interested in fire integrated management and studied further to pursue that," he said.
He said he had many career highlights, including playing a meaningful role in establishing organisations across Cape Town to help combat fires. "In 2002, we helped to establish the Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Association, which has since been expanded to cover the entire metropolitan area. We also started the Volunteer Wildfire Services in 1999. It took a lot of time and dedication but now they are a successful unit that helps out various district municipalities," said Prins.
When asked about any particular fires he can remember combatting, Prins said all fires were an experience on their own, but some were stuck in his memory.
He said, “The biggest fires we experienced were the fires in 2000 and the Cape Town fire in 2015, which continued for over two weeks. But the fire that stands out for me started in Philip Kgosana Drive in 2021. It had such a different fire behaviour, which spread so quickly. We tried everything we could to stop it initially but we couldn't.
South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson Lauren Clayton said Prins had dedicated over two decades of his life to serving SANParks and would be leaving an indelible mark on the organisation and the ecosystems it manages. "His unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and exceptional leadership and vision has been pivotal in shaping TMNP's fire management practices," she said.
Despite his work at SANParks ending, Prins said he would continue to work with the Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Association.
However, he hopes to take advantage of his free time by spending it with family, reading and hiking. "I must credit my wife, Fidiona; she has always been very supportive. We even married at the Cederberg Fire Station without electricity. We walk daily in Newlands Forest and I hope we can do more hiking," he said.
"My son is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and I have three grandchildren. The last time I saw them was in 2018. I hope I get to see them."
Sources: Philip Prins, South African National Parks, News 24
Quote of the week
“But one major thing a hero is to me is someone who helps, listens and heals.” ~ Storm Lake St Mary’s
Fire and Rescue International is your magazine.
Read it, use it and share it!
Read the latest magazine: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-vol-6-no-6.html
FRI magazine archive: https://www.frimedia.org/fri-archives.html
Enjoy the read!
Lee Raath-Brownie
Managing director
Cell: 082 371 0190
Contact us
Tel: 011 452 3135 or Email: lee@fireandrescue.co
Websites
www.fireandrescue.co
www.frimedia.org
www.facebook.com/FireandRescueInternational
www.twitter.com/FRI_magazine
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-raath-brownie-16668065/