#BringBackPacaltsdorpFirestastion

André Mouton, George:

I refer to the front page article, '13 dakloos in Rosedale', in the George Herald of 13 May.

According to the article, four houses burned down. How many more people must still suffer (a young man lost his life not so long ago in New Dawn Park and his four-year-old son has to grow up without a father) before the George Municipality will act?

Why was the Pacaltsdorp Fire Station closed anyway? The fire trucks were behind me. It was peak hour and some ignorant people didn't make way for them. I had to hoot and flash lights so the driver in front of me could move out of the way. The fire brigade didn't stand a chance.

I know a long list of reasons will be rendered by the municipality on why Pacaltsdorp Fire Station was taken away, and even more on why there cannot be one now. I grew up with the motto, where there is a will there is a way.

So let me help you, you do not need infrastructure to #BringBackPacaltsdorpFirestastion in Pacaltsdorp. There is already state and municipal infrastructure that you can use the Traffic Department and police station. Like I said, if there is a will, you will always find a way.

George Municipality responds:

The George Fire Department received a call at about 16:36 of multiple informal structures burning in Rosedale. The first fire engine arrived on the scene at 16:40, within four minutes of receiving the call. On arrival it was confirmed that four informal structures were alight. The fire was very quickly brought under control and was stopped from escalating to nearby structures.

The George Fire Department uses the South African National Standard (SANS 10090) as guidance for response times to fire calls and the four minute turnout time falls within the SANS code bracket which is eight minutes. As a professional fire brigade we encourage fire safety in communities by means of training and lecturing.