Emergency Services gear up for the festive season
“There is so much we can learn from this exercise. We are glad that we are able to adjust and fix what we are not happy with. Overall, the scene management was done well. Scenes are different but there is so much we learnt from this experience.” said the Chief Fire Officer Ms Shelly Shabalala.
eMBALENLE – The Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) committee together with Megabus and the Govan Mbeki Municipality created a mock accident between a Megabus and Vito mini taxi on Friday, 7 December at the eMbalenhle and Bracken Mine Road.
The well-planned exercise aimed at testing the response time of emergency departments in the area.
Three injured patients became the main focus of the response as saving lives was the most important reason for the exercise, and ensuring that lessons would be learned on what could be improved or changed.
“We are glad that we are able to adjust and fix what we are not happy with.
Overall, the scene management was done well. Scenes are different but there is so much we learned from this experience,” said the Chief Fire Officer Ms Shelly Shabalala.
The objectives of the exercise were met with all the role players present and on high alert.
With the festive season almost in full swing, the need to ensure that emergency services are functioning at their peak, is a priority.
“This simulation exercise will prepare us for the festive season.
We are confident that all scenes will be managed well,” said Ms Shabalala.
The police and the fire department have ensured that leave has been limited during the festive season, ensuring that there will be sufficient personnel ready and available for any situation that may arise.
The traffic department played a huge role in regulating traffic to ensure smooth flow and restricting motorists and onlookers from contaminating the scene.
A step-by-step evaluation was tabled by all the stakeholders involved to discuss what could be done to improve response time and the securing of a scene.
Communication was said to be the key when dealing with accidents and response time.
It was raised that whoever reports an accident should do so effectively by giving the emergency response services the necessary information:
* Be calm;
* Give your name and contact number to the operator taking your call;
* Be descriptive;
* Where is the accident scene;
* How many vehicles are involved;
* Say if the vehicles involved are small motor vehicles, minibus taxi or a bus;
* Ensure that you are able to answer any other questions as efficiently as possible.
The person reporting the accident will be able to inform the operators about the type of resources needed.
Const Busi Mthethwa explained the importance of a well-explained accident report.
“Instead of calling the national response numbers that will have to redirect you to the area you are in and taking time, use the direct call centre number on 017 624 2000 (if you have airtime) that goes to the Secunda Call Centre and they will dispatch the necessary emergency response personnel quicker.
“If you do not have airtime, use the 112 number.”
Mr Dan Dhludhlu from the Govan Mbeki Fire and Rescue Department added:
“We commend the traffic department for the manner in which they were able to redirect traffic and keep other drivers on the road safe during the exercise.”
Megabus representatives emphasised that their main focus is transporting their commuters safely and thus all their busses are fitted with trackers and impact alarms that alert their control room immediately.
It was also noted that there is an agreement with Sasol that should the emergency response teams need more assistance, they will dispatch their resources to assist.
