Metro poised to defend its residents from fire
Metro in on target to protect residents from fire.
The metro claims it is well poised to defend the territorial integrity of its people and their properties from accidental fire in the townships and nearby areas.
This follows the launch of another fire station, located in Zonkizizwe.
The launch took place a week ago and the station stands ready to combat emergency-related incidents.
Armed with a veld fire vehicle, rescue vehicle, two ambulances, water tanker, foam tender and a major pumper, the R28-million emergency centre opened its doors on Thursday, July 17.
“The latest acquired emergency asset follows the launch of similar fire stations in Tsakane in 2013, Daveyton in 2010 and Etwatwa in 2009, ss well as the major facelift the Tembisa Fire station received,” said Mandlakazi Mpahlwa-Sigcawu, divisional head of media relations.
The metro has further plans to construct new fire stations in Duduza, KwaThema, Germiston, Thokoza and the Albertina Sisulu Corridor.
These stations will be built within the next five years.
“This obviously means more job creation and also serves to attract interest from the townships to pursue careers in the emergency fields; we are certain that we will achieve this and it will be an assurance to our people that they are safe from accident fires,” Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe said.
The Zonkizizwe Fire Station has already created 71 permanent jobs.
This emergency facility is positioned strategically to respond to emergencies that may occur along the Kliprivier Road and N3 corridor, which carries a significant amount of traffic transporting hazardous materials.
The state-of-the-art facility is ready to serve the southern border of Ekurhuleni, which has been growing rapidly over the last few years.
The border covers, among others, Zonkizizwe, Zama-Zama, Sunrise View, Moleleki Section and Katlehong South, Sonwaba and farming communities in and around this spread.
The fire station is also in close proximity to assist the Suikerbosrand Game Reserve, which is extremely vulnerable to wild fires.
“Interestingly, the fire station has come in perfect time, ahead of the envisaged major economic development, the Tambo Springs Inland Port, in Vosloorus,” said Gadebe.
“The Tambo Springs Inland Port was identified and proposed as a Gauteng-Durban critical in-land port and the freight corridor for the SADC region.”
