The City Times reported on the dire ambulance shortage in Ekurhuleni on February 6, when it emerged that the metro’s ambulance services were operating at less than 50 per cent of what was required to service the city effectively.
Ekurhuleni procured the ambulances from the Gauteng Department of Health and took delivery of the vehicles on June 30.
According to Ekurhuleni disaster and emergency management services media liaison officer William Ntladi, the ambulances have not yet been released for service, as registration, medical equipment, fitment of communications, tracking devices and navigation systems first have to be completed.
The rollout is expected in early August, this year.
In addition to the ambulances, nine paramedic response vehicles have been procured and will be released onto the roads soon as soon as the branding has been completed.
The 170 emergency service and firefighting personnel who were to have been employed in the metro by the end of June have not been deployed.
‘‘The 170 firefighter intake is still outstanding for now, as we have just entered into the new financial year,’’ said Ntladi.
‘‘However, it has been said and it will be delivered.
‘‘It should also be taken into consideration that recruitment of firefighters is not going to be a simple process which can be done within a few weeks.’’
He said 400 reserve members were enlisted on April 29 and are still working in the metro.
