‘Stop clogging emergency lanes’
"Often, we see many motorists clogging these emergency lanes, preventing emergency services vehicles from passing and slowing their response times."
Tshwane Emergency Services pleaded this week to motorists to please stop using yellow lanes designated for emergency vehicles.
“Those lanes are there for emergency response teams as they need to access accident scenes, fires, drownings or other emergencies speedily,” said Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson, Charles Mabaso.
“Often, we see many motorists clogging these emergency lanes, preventing emergency services vehicles from passing and slowing their response times.
“Rather remain in your lane and make sure emergency vehicles pass freely.”
Mabaso said another problem they faced was informal settlement dwellers who regularly attack emergency services personnel when responding to emergencies.
He said these attacks were because of emotions running high and emergency teams being blamed for shacks burning down.
“Informal settlements are a very different dynamic, as their housing is made of a material which is itself a fire risk, leading to homes being completely destroyed.
“We understand that belongings have been lost and adrenaline is rushing and time moves fast during emergencies.”
But he said being hostile to their personnel staff was unfair as “all we want to do is save lives”.
He said residents must understand the problems faced by emergency staffers when responding to scenes.
Mabaso said there has been a rise in fires in the metro, particularly with informal settlements.
Another problem is that many people now “report” emergencies through social media sites, hoping for assistance, instead phoning of the 107 toll-free number.
People would find the time to make videos but not call the right phone number, he said.
READ MORE: Scenes of patrons fighting in Maboneng Lifestyle emerge on social media
“They must use the actual number to report an emergency.”
He said such videos had their positives; however, a negative was that response times could also be delayed.
Mabaso’s comments come as the Tshwane emergency services recently celebrated International Firefighters’ Day.
“We are asking communities to work with us to help us so we are able to offer services that are seamless and at a high community-graded level.”
He said the metro’s emergency staff were well-skilled and they have “world standard resources”.
This comes as Tshwane firefighters were honoured for their bravery and selfless service in helping put out a fire at the Bank of Lisbon building after answering a call to assist their colleagues in Johannesburg in 2018.
Medals were handed out an awards ceremony at Olifantsfontein fire station in Ekurhuleni by the Gauteng provincial government.
They were received by the Tshwane chiefs of the fire and emergency services on behalf of those who fought the fire.
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