90% of Gauteng ambulances fitted with dashcams, tracking devices
Gauteng health department invested in smart technologies such as push-to-talk devices that have live tracking to emergency vehicles to mitigate paramedic attacks which contribute towards delayed response times.
Concern for first responders’ safety has become a priority in the Tshwane Metro, following the recent hijacking of an emergency services vehicle and the kidnapping of the ambulance crew in Mamelodi last month.
The emergency vehicle was hijacked, and the crew kidnapped when they responded to a call in Strikers Street, Nellmapius at the end of July.
Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the department was working around the clock to fit dashcams and tracking devices in all crews’ vehicles to ensure their safety.
He said 90% of the fleet already had dashcams and the project will be soon complete.
MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said to improve response times, her department has fitted smart technology in emergency vehicles.such as push-to-talk devices that have live tracking
She said continuous engagement with the SAPS, Metro police and crime prevention wardens to escort emergency vehicles to hot zones had been implemented.
Nkomo-Ralehoko gave the assurance that the Gauteng EMS would continue to work on strategies to improve priority response times to under 30 minutes.
She added that the department had procured five 4×4 specialised ambulances to access all terrains and reduce patient waiting times in rural areas.
“The introduction of G-set (Gauteng Scheduled Emergency Transport) will free up ambulances to respond to primary calls like accidents, assaults, house emergencies and others. The programme has already yielded positive results in terms of response times, a smooth model of patient referral, safe transportation and improved patient experience.”
The MEC pointed out that service delivery protests, hot zones to which ambulances must be escorted by police, and paramedic attacks are among the leading causes of delays in response times.
The hot zones include Jukulyn (Soshanguve), Eersterust (Mamelodi), Mshongoville (Atteridgeville) and Boekenhout in Tshwane.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said her department continued to plead with residents not to block ambulances during protests nor to allow criminals to intimidate EMS workers discharging their duties.
Nellmapius residents vowed to work with law enforcement in apprehending the criminals who recently had robbed paramedics during a call-out in the area.
Community leader Eddie Mathiba said what happened to the ambulance crew was unacceptable and should never be allowed.
Mathiba called on residents to take a stand to prevent attacks on paramedics and hijacking of ambulances.
He implored the community to come forward with any information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators, saying this could be done anonymously.
“An ambulance is here to save lives and when you attack paramedics, who are going to help us in the case of an emergency?” asked Mathiba.
He said paramedics will now fear for their lives when they respond to call-outs to Nellmapius.
“Therefore we need to work with law enforcement to help find these perpetrators.”
Mathiba did not believe the robbers were from Nellmapius, but suspected they might be foreigners.
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