GP unveils new emergency response vehicles
‘The newly acquired fleet boasts state-of-the-art technology and medical equipment.’
The Gauteng government has pleaded with residents to stop attacking the emergency medical service (EMS) workers.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi and his MEC for health and wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko were addressing residents of Mamelodi during the unveiling of 255 newly acquired Gauteng EMS response vehicles on the field adjacent to the Mamelodi fire station in extension 6.
They also outlined the health and wellness Easter readiness plans in Mamelodi, Tshwane.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said the newly acquired fleet boasts state-of-the-art technology and medical equipment.
She said the vehicles were procured during 2022/2023 financial year and will be allocated to all five districts in Gauteng to ensure an uninterrupted emergency response.
She pleaded with the public not to attack our “green angels” [paramedics].
“We are calling them green angels because they are the first response to safe people lives.”
She said the fleet includes intermediate life support, Gauteng scheduled emergency transport and ICU, primary response as well as violent incident response vehicles.
“The additional fleet will also improve response times as authorities are expecting high traffic volumes to various parts of the country from the province,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said this was the first Easter post Covid-19 restrictions and the impact of the pandemic for three years.
Lesufi said the newly acquired vehicles were there to serve the public.
“We can’t claim to be government if we can’t give basic necessity of health, when health assistance is needed by the public.
“We are pleading with the leadership of EMS Gauteng to protect the cars and be available when needed to serve the public.
“We are releasing this to the public to also protect them and stop hijacking these cars because they are meant to safe lives,” said Lesufi.
He said paramedics are scared to respond to calls because of the growing attacks.
He added the goal of his government was to have an ambulance for in each and every ward in Gauteng.
Gauteng EMS director Ruben Reuter said: “We are coming here in Mamelodi to show our capabilities to the public. We are also here with the water rescue team”.
He said the ambulances served different purposes.
“Mamelodi has been hit hard by flash floods a lot and there is always drowning and people swept away,” said Reuter.
“Ours is to safe lives and we are pleading with the public to also protect because we are the first responders to safe lives.”
Reuter encouraged the public to take up the first responder course and the youth to join the EMS Gauteng to save lives.
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