A second response vehicle could mean the difference between attending another call and leaving someone waiting for help for volunteer medics responding to emergencies across Centurion.

CERT-SA’s Centurion branch was handed a vehicle on Wednesday, September 16, following a donation from Noordvaal Security Guard Division.

The vehicle serves as a second response unit, allowing the branch’s growing team to respond to multiple emergencies simultaneously.

CERT-SA public relations officer Tanya Nieuwenhuizen said the vehicle helps when several emergency calls are received while volunteers are already attending an incident.

“We have experienced multiple times now that when actively working on a scene, two or three other calls come through simultaneously,” Nieuwenhuizen said.

Volunteers can sometimes remain at scenes for several hours while waiting for ambulance services, limiting their ability to respond elsewhere. She added that having a second vehicle picking up additional calls during those waiting periods provides significant relief.

The vehicle comes as the Centurion branch has expanded its medical capabilities, with advanced life support paramedics and emergency care practitioners among new medics joining the organisation.

The branch has about 45 volunteers, including medical doctors, registered nurses and community members.

Nieuwenhuizen said that as the crew grew in size and capabilities, splitting the load became necessary, and the new vehicle will assist with that.

She thanked Bryan van Staden, owner of Noordvaal Security, for the donation, describing him as a consistent supporter who had opened his heart to the organisation.

Van Staden said his relationship with CERT-SA began before Covid-19 and that the donation was his way of giving back to the community. He added that having an extra vehicle reduces response times, which is crucial when lives are at risk.

Nieuwenhuizen said the branch responded to multiple emergency calls in Centurion over the past weekend, with some referred to other service providers because CERT-SA could not attend to them all.

The organisation is appealing to the community for support towards operational costs, particularly fuel, which has increased with the addition of another vehicle.

CERT-SA is a community-based non-profit and public beneficiary organisation whose sole purpose is to serve the community by providing lifesaving emergency medical and rescue services to people within the areas it covers.

Residents who wish to support the organisation can reach out via CERT-SA’s official channels.

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