Joburg MMC for Public Safety Clr Michael Sun said that following an attack on an ambulance crew in Cosmo City, the City is now screening calls from hot spot areas.
He said this in reply to questions about ambulance services in areas like Mangolongolo and Jumpas informal settlements and at Denver Hostel.
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The EXPRESS sent enquiries after Joburg residents in informal settlements expressed concern about City ambulance services following the attack.
“There is no shutdown of emergency services in Cosmo City or anywhere in the city. We are screening calls.
“If the call is to attend to a volatile situation or it is from a suspicious caller who cannot give us a precise location or description of the emergency, we will deploy the necessary resources and an escort by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) or the SAPS,” said Sun.
He said each call will be assessed according to merits, type and level of emergency.
“We want to ensure safety of our residents and EMS members. We will not risk the safety of our EMS members in favour of possible fake calls and volatile situations without police escort.”
Sun said there has been an increase in attacks on EMS members.
“In light of the recent spike of attacks on EMS members, which are also seen in other parts of the country, the Department of Public Safety activated a contingency plan to deal with the attacks on its firefighters and paramedics,” said Sun.
Safety measures also include the installation of panic buttons in the City’s ambulances and EMS members were provided with self-defence training and pepper spray as a preferred device to deter attackers.
“Emergency calls from identified hot spots will be screened to reduce fake calls where there is a suspicion of potential risk.”
“These servicemen and women of EMS are trained professionals and highly-valued employees of the city. We as the community want to ensure a safe environment so they can carry out their duties. We also owe it to our children to protect the City’s assets such as ambulances and fire engines.
“It is EMS’ legislative and moral mandate to attend and treat any injured persons whether such a person is a victim or suspect of a crime,” said Sun.
He reminded residents that damaging emergency vehicles will affect service delivery.
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