Tshwane aims for young blood to boost emergency services
“We may be sitting with advanced technology vehicles, however if we do not concentrate on the staffing as it is aging and paying attention to filling positions when they become vacant, we will wake up to issues of having resources without man power.”
Tshwane metro emergency service plans to fill vacancies with “younger firefighters” and to optimise the manning of newly acquired rescue vehicles.
Tshwane divisional chief for fire and rescue operations Moshema Mosia cautioned the city against experiencing a “potential embarrassment” if positions were not speedily filled.
“We may be sitting with advanced technology vehicles, however, if we do not concentrate on the staffing and paying attention to filling positions when they become vacant, we will wake up to issues of having resources without manpower.”
He said it was “unacceptable” to leave positions to be vacant until a situation where 145 vacant positions existed in the department.
Mosia called on the metro to speedily replace retiring firefighters with “young firefighters”.
Community safety MMC Karen Meyer said the metro had decided to start with equipment, including new vehicles.
Meyer said the second phase would look at improving manpower in the Tshwane EMS.
“Most of our firefighters are starting to retire, so we have to implement a succession plan on this matter.
“We need to ensure the manpower is appointed to also ensure the city can utilise these vehicles to the best of their ability for safeguarding residents and infrastructure.”
She said job advertisements would also be posted soon, as the metro had two fire stations; Mamelodi and Heuweloord that needed filling.
She said the Mamelodi fire station was anticipated to be completed in July.
“This will be a process. We need to understand we are sitting in an extremely tough economic situation, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the metro’s financial state, being factors.”
Meyer said the fleet was an achievement as it had cost the city “quite a few million rands”.
She urged women to apply for the posts within the service.
The metro launched 10 types of vehicles, including a multi-patient ambulance bus, which can transport 12 patients and would be used by major incident unit.
The bus is designed for any mass casualty incidents and has on-board water, oxygen, a wheelchair lift and a generator.
Williams said the bus performed the work of 15 ambulances and would be stationed in central Pretoria to be deployed to any area of the city.
Tshwane mayor Randall Williams said all fire engines were built on a specialised chassis for fire engines and certified by National Fire Protection Association’s codes and standards.
“Most of these engines are the first of its kind in Africa.”
Acquired vehicles include an industrial pumper, foam pumper, tankers, airport rescue firefighting, an armoured fire engine and ambulance, a special infection ambulance unit and an intensive care ambulance unit.
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