The Primrose Fire Station once again bore the brunt of the community’s anger.
Residents from the Makause informal settlement recently descended on the station allegedly demanding immediate assistance.
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However, when they were told no personnel were available to assist them, they attacked the fire station destroying equipment and leaving two ambulances out of commission.
William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), confirmed the attack and explained that the station’s firefighters and ambulance crews were on the scenes of both a pedestrian and vehicle accident when the community arrived.
“A security guard was left on duty at the station while personnel attended to the scenes,” Ntladi said.
“Residents allegedly banged on the windows of the station’s roller doors, demanding that the security guard let them in.
“The aggressiveness of the group forced the security guard to open the doors.”
The community reportedly wanted assistance with regard to an alleged murder victim in a nearby shack.
“On hearing that all the station crews were assigned to different calls and no one was available to assist, the community members began damaging other vehicles within the station,” explained Ntladi.
“The group broke one fire engine’s mirrors, while two ambulances, parked in the station, were also damaged and their tyres stabbed with a sharp object, leaving them out of commission.”
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Though the guard tried his utmost to stop the residents he had to flee the scene.
“He was threatened and had no option but to run for his life,” said Ntladi.
This incident is one of a number of attacks on the station.
“The incident brings uncertainty and fear to the entire workforce of the station,” Ntladi explained.
“Why must paramedics and firefighters fear to save lives?
“Unfortunately, duties, safety measures and expectations of firefighting and paramedics are different to other services, they cannot be armed to perform their life-saving duties.”
DEMS condemns the actions of the community to the fullest extent.
“These damaged resources are the same ones used to serve the community,” Ntladi said.
“We cannot allow such activities to go unpunished.
“We plead with the good law-abiding community members to work together with the police to bring those involved to book.”
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