VANDERBIJLAPRK –Emfuleni Local Municipality has recently received two new fire engines to enhance its firefighting capabilities.

The handover ceremony took place in Vanderbijlpark, with Mayor Sipho Radebe and MMC of Public Safety Ndade Mokoena officiating the event.

Despite the scorching sun, various councilors including the speaker of the council at the municipality attended the handover.

Boasting on the features of the trucks during the event, the Chief Fire Officer described the vehicles as 4×4 trucks, equipped with the capacity to hold up to 3000 liters of water and foam.

He further said these state-of-the-art water tankers were acquired at a cost of R13 million.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Mayor Radebe expressed his optimism about the positive impact of these fire engines on the municipality’s ability to respond to fires across the region.

“We are now increasing our capacity to render service to our people, especially when it comes to fighting fires in the region. There is hope in what we are doing as the municipality. Receiving this fleet means that our effort to assist our residents is increasing,” he said.

Chief Fire Officer Shadrack Motlashuping expressed his gratitude for the acquisition of the fire engines despite the growing worry of their department being forgotten.

“Our department is very grateful for the purchase and our stress level will now go down. We were beginning to get worried about the future of our department. We were of the view that the municipality had forgotten about us, seeing other departments receiving vehicles. We are really grateful and hope this will lift the spirit of our employees,” he said.

Motlashuping further mentioned that they are expecting the arrival of another fire engine, which was purchased through a provincial grant.

He said the additional vehicle will further bolster the municipality’s firefighting resources.