Concern over increase in suicides
Tshwane already operates 21 strategically placed emergency centres in the metro, but the plan is to have 34 in the near future.
Tshwane Emergency Services (TES) has responded to 40 451 serious call-outs so far this year, prompted by — among other things — 239 gun shots, 3 308 assault cases and 745 suicides or attempted suicides.
From 1 January to 19 May, the TES also dealt with 1 574 fire-related episodes, 1 690 rescues, 582 rapid responses and 558 special or humanitarian missions.
Some 396 cases of overdosing, 3 123 accident scenes, 21 887 medical related incidents and 5 349 trauma incidents were also handled by the TES.
TES spokesperson Johan Pieterse said a huge concern to the service was an increase in serious trauma incidents such as gun shots and suicides.
“If anyone knows someone who shows signs of suicide or serious aggression, please speak to the inidividual and assist him or her to get professional help. In this way the public can help prevent people from dying unnecessarily and emergency service personnel from facing personal trauma as a result.”
The TES has 21 emergency stations in the metro area, the newest being in Heuweloord, which opened in February 2015.
This station will help shorten the response times to the south-western area of Tshwane, which used to be attended to by the Centurion station. Statistics for the past three months had shown a huge improvement in response times in the area.
In a statement on Friday, the TES said it would like to share lesser-known statistics and information with the Tshwane community.
“The service operates from 21 stations that are placed strategically in the city to attend to all incidents in the shortest time possible. All these stations are equipped with vehicles, equipment and professional emergency personnel. The service mission is aligned to Tshwane Vision 2055: to have 34 emergency stations to improve the service even more,” Pieterse said.
“The service strives to operate within the ‘golden hour’ (one hour) after an emergency has been reported. Incidents are classified as Priority 1 (critical), 2 (serious) or 3 (slight injury/minor sickness). Priority 1 and 2 incidents are dealt with within the ‘golden hour’.”
Responses to Priority 3 incidents might exceed the ‘golden hour’, as these were not life-threatening, but care would be taken to respond as quickly as possible.
The service also established a rapid response unit to assist with all critical incidents or incidents with many patients, such as taxi or bus incidents. In the past three months this unit had been a huge success and completed operations within the ‘golden hour’.
The following statistics related to the more serious incidents the service responded to from 1 January to 19 May 2015:
– 3 123 accident scenes, 21 887 medical related incidents and 5 349 trauma incidents,
– 239 gun shots, 3 308 assault cases,
– 396 cases of overdosing and 745 suicides or attempted suicides,
– 1 574 fire incidents, 1 690 rescue incidents,
– 582 rapid responses and 558 special or humanitarian services
“We appeal to the community to report all incidents that they can clearly not handle, and do so as quickly as possible. This will ensure that the service can respond professionally and speedily and prevent further injury to people or damage to property,” Pieterse said.
“The TES is proud of the services it offers and will serve the community of Tshwane with pride and passion.”
Emergency incidents can be reported to 10177 or 012-310-6300/6400
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