The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is gravely concerned about the Ekurhuleni Metro’s serious shortage of hydraulic rescue tools (jaws of life), especially in light of the upcoming festive season and rise in road accidents.
This equipment is vital for extricating victims from wreckage following serious collisions.
Yet, a report by the Metro’s Community Safety Oversight Committee reveals that several fire stations in the Metro do not possess their own units, so, units are rotated between multiple stations. Other stations make use of outdated equipment, which is unreliable.
In emergencies, rescue teams often have to wait for equipment from another area, which could result in needless loss of life.
The shortage of jaws of life units is caused by months of supply chain delays, as well as issues relating to budgets and tenders within the Department of Community Safety.
At the moment, Ekurhuleni has only 30 functional fire stations, while legislation requires at least 65 operational stations in terms of the Metro’s population density and geographic area.
So, less than half the prescribed infrastructure is in place.
The Freedom Front Plus, a member of the Oversight Committee, calls on Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and Mayoral Committee Member for Community Safety, Sizakele Masuku, to intervene at once.
Procuring and properly maintaining this equipment should be a top priority.
Emergency services cannot save lives without the necessary equipment or with broken equipment.
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Bom Crossed
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Snow Pharaoh
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