As a result of the poor reaction of the Inkosi Lanagalibalele Local Municipal Fire Department to extinguish the Clover factory fire on March 13, Estcourt has grown concerned of the capability of the local fire department to fight fires.
READ THIS: Capability of Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality’s fire department questioned
After four long weeks, a response was received from the municipality, regarding some burning questions. The Estcourt News asked ‘Is the local fire department in the red?’
NO!
Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipal Manager Patrick Mkhize:
“The main function of the department is to prevent fires and to protect life and property. To carry out these functions, the service must be equipped. The brigade has 16 permanent staff and covers the entire municipal boundary. The Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality fire brigade service presently has three vehicles on site at the fire station; the fire fighting equipment is serviced regularly.”
YES!
Fire Warden of the Umtshezi Fire Association, Warren Blaker:
“It is very worrying that our fire department cannot fight a structure fire. It has a ripple effect on everyone. My concern is, can the fire department meet the standards and mandate as per our area?
The fire fighters work hard but are limited yet very capable. The truck they have does not work, it is not adequate anyway. The Ford bakkie is considered an auxiliary unit.
The pump capacity and tank capacity does not meet the South African National Standards 90010 requirements to be classified as a Fire Truck/ Pumper. The truck has not been operational for about 12 to 15 years.
The pump has failed. This is considered an auxiliary unit. Replacement costs for the pump is around R120 000. The Dennis is considered a Fire Engine due to the pumping capacity and the tank capacity.
However due to its age of approximately 41 years it has exceeded its life as a primary unit. It may be kept in service as a backup unit. I would like to see Mr Mkhize actually go start all three vehicles and drive each one and run all three pumps on a pump test. The fire department is extremely poorly equipped for dealing with hazardous materials. Starting with the crew’s gear, they do not have the right gear.
While Mr Mkhize says we have vehicles, crew and equipment. I have seen the equipment and, along with other agencies, we are concerned, it’s never about the small fire, it’s about the what if. What if we had a major hazardous material incident in town, N3 or the railway track?
What we had a major house fire with people trapped? A little pump like on the bakkie will not help saves lives, in the event of a N3 incident, a truck and vehicle on fire, people trapped, diesel fuel is alight. Foam is needed; the red bakkie cannot do this. All they have is water.”
A reliable source, the identity of this person is known to the Estcourt News, but protected due to the fear of victimisation:
“We have no operational vehicles to fight fires, the bakkie carries 500 litres of water only to put out grass fires and not going to rescue to put out big fires at properties. It is very difficult, we are risking our own lives. How do you fight fire without something as simple as fire fighting gloves?”
Ian Greevs former firefighter at the local fire department:
“I am based in Durban now and was horrified to read the Estcourt News article on the fire station. It is disgraceful; I want to know who sets the standard for fire departments in South Africa? It is completely disgraceful. When we under the leadership of the then Fire Chief George Van Niekerk, had a drill every Wednesday. There was a technique to rolling up the fire hoses, and if you could not make it to the fire station within three minutes, you were sent home. This needs to be reintroduced, you cannot have the station looking a mess it is unacceptable and when you are out fighting fires we had to know where the fire hose connections were, there was no time to fumble.”
David Allen who was on scene at the Clover fire:
“It was embarrassing that our local municipal firefighters arrived to fight such a big fire with one van. Yes, the firefighters were excellent but how much can they do with no equipment.”
Louise Labuschagne, wife of one of the factory workers at Clover:
“I was told that there are no fire trucks that work to respond to the fire and that the fire engine has no pipes to connect to the water tanker. I was shocked to see the pipes lying in the grass near the exit.”
ALSO SEE: Clover suffers extensive damage following raging fire
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