Residents have expressed concerns over the response of the Fire Department and its efficiency in extinguishing a fire.
This follows recent reports by the NEWS about a fire along Central Avenue in Eastleigh, two weeks ago.
Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), Mr William Ntladi, has commented on allegations made by the residents.
“DEMS responded to a factory fire as alluded. From the time we received the call to the arrival time on-scene, it was in accordance to our primary call out criterion, operational standards and code of practices,” said Mr Ntladi.
“We responded immediately, within the set time, to the scene and found that the plastic re-cycling company was well alight. One of the issues that made the fire problematic was that plastic, on its own, is a highly combustible material and bundles were placed around the premises which were easily influenced by wind blowing and other weather conditions,” he said.
Among the concerns raised by residents was that the equipment used spilt a large amount of water.
According to Mr Ntladi, within the service there are two types of hoses that are used, canvass or a woven-jacket material, and rubber lining material.
“The advantages of canvass hoses are that they leak in order to cool themselves off should they be pulled over hot surfaces during fire fighting exercises,” he said.
Mr Ntladi further stated that it is a great advantage for fire fighting and their durability is much better.
“Minimal leakage is acceptable and expected, as long as the required operational pressure is maintained,” said Mr Ntladi
He also assured residents that if there are any damaged hoses, which is highly likely to happen due to external contributing factors such as tough terrain in which fire fighters find themselves operating under, the damaged ones have to be replaced with immediate effect.
“During the replacement of hoses, the water spillage will definitely take place. On the operational fire fighting scene, there will be water running from the actual fire seat as water is our actual source of extinguishing fires,” he said.
Mr Ntladi also confirmed that the operational criterion was followed in bringing other stations to the scene to contain the fire and firstly prevent it from spreading to the neighbouring structures.
“Ekurhuleni emergency services fire engines are a brand new fleet. In all our 28 fire stations across Ekurhuleni, each station has a minimum of three fire trucks, namely the major pumper, rescue pumper and grass unit pump. As per set operational districts, each district has an operational water tanker and hydraulic platform to assist with the shuttling of water and high-rise building fires should the need arise,” he said.
Mr Ntladi also said the Ekurhuleni DEMS is still experiencing challenges from members of the public as far as life threatening emergency numbers are concerned.
“Communities are still using the police emergency numbers instead of emergency services numbers. We would like to encourage members of the public to call us in time so that we can arrive on time,” he said.
“Our mandate, and objective as emergency services, is to preserve the lives and properties of the residents within the city and beyond the borders. Our firefighters are also rated highly within the firefighting fraternity globally and this can be proudly said without doubts or fear,” said Mr Ntladi.
