The FFA Group of Companies was awarded a tender by National Government in 2003 to implement an aerial and ground resource plan for fighting veld fires.

This was the first of its kind in South Africa and it took much research, both locally and internationally, to come up with a strategy which could be practically applied in South Africa's unique landscape. The result was Working on Fire, officially launched in September 2003. The programme was initially funded by the government and the commercial forestry sector. Embedded in the Expanded Public Works Programme, the project combined sound land management principles and best practice wildland fire fighting expertise with the need to create jobs and develop skills. Given the impact of annual fires across the country and in the urban areas, there was a need for an agency that could train a fire fighting hand-crew, and where these teams could be based locally but deployed nationally when necessary. The overall strategy was to apply the principles of integrated fire management to reduce the frequency and impact of uncontrolled veld fires. Since 2003, the FFA Group of companies has been re-awarded the Project WP9191 tender and the project has grown by 30% per annum, from a budget of R50 Million to R250 Million. Working on Fire is regarded as a best practice model and one of the most effective poverty relief and skills development programmes launched since 1994.