Tshwane emergency services ready for the festive season
Operation teams will remain on high alert and will continually monitor low-water bridges and other known flooding hotspots and respond to any motor vehicle incidents on our routes and highways.
The Tshwane metro emergency services department (ESD) has announced its preparedness for the December 2021 to January 2022 festive season.
This includes responding to various emergency incidents that may occur during the festive season as well as daily operational events.
The ESD is an integral part of integrated response services during the festive season, with the Tshwane metro police department, South African Police Service, heads of the seven regions of Tshwane and other Tshwane metro departments.
Emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso said during this festive season, ESD fire safety officers will participate in special joint-operations with other stakeholders to verify and check for applicable approvals or licensing, and to possibly issue contravention notices.
The officers will also inspect special events that have been approved by the city’s events joint operations committee.
“Various parts of Tshwane have already experienced the impact of recent storms with the flooding of susceptible roads and low-lying bridges that made travelling difficult,” said Mabaso.
“Our disaster risk management teams are working with relevant city departments to co-ordinate the implementation of the city’s flood incident management plan,” he said.
He shared the following safety tips on floods and lighting:
– Avoid low-lying bridges during a flood.
– If trapped in a vehicle during a flood, abandon the vehicle and climb to high ground.
– Do not drive on a road if it is completely covered by water and you cannot see the road surface (you do not know how deep it is or if the road is washed away).
– Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognise flood dangers.
– Avoid low spots, like ditches, basements or underpasses as these become extremely dangerous during a flash flood.
All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. Fortunately, people can be safe if they follow some simple guidelines when thunderstorms are forecast.
– Have a lightning safety plan: Know where you will go for safety and ensure that you have enough time to get there.
– Monitor the weather: Once outside, look for signs of a developing or approaching thunderstorm, such as towering clouds, darkening skies or flashes of lightning.
– Get to a safe place: If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, seek safety immediately. Fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing are best.
– If you hear thunder, do not use a corded phone except in an emergency: Cordless phones and cellphones are safe to use.
– Keep away from electrical equipment and plumbing.
Mabaso said that the operation teams will remain on high alert and will continually monitor low-water bridges and other known flooding hotspots and respond to any motor vehicle incidents, and any form of emergency reported to the call centre on the 107 toll-free number.
“The fact that motorists need to adhere to traffic regulations and road safety measures during this period can never be overemphasised.
“While the country is still placed in a national state of disaster as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ESD, as the city’s lead agency in co-ordinating measures aimed at curbing the spread and effects of the virus, remains on high alert for a possible resurgence in Tshwane.
“We therefore call on residents to continue observing level 1 Covid-19 regulations and restrictions.”
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He shared some important numbers to note:
– Disturbance of peace: Tshwane Metro Police Department on 012 358 7095/7096
– Fire hazard at premises: ESD on 107 or 012 310 6300/6400 or 012 310 6200 during office hours (08:00 to 16:00)
– Animals in distress or cruelty to animals: Waltloo SPCA on 083 453 3863 or Centurion SPCA on 082 807 5671
To enable emergency response and co-ordination of other response measures during storms or any life-threatening emergency, dial 107 toll-free from a landline
or cellphone.
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