FIRE SAFETY NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY

I HAVE spent about two decades at Emergency Services having started as a firefighter (FF) and emergency medical technician (EMT). I also went through the ranks to the position of platoon commander, station commander and acting deputy chief.

During my tenure at the department we were fortunate not to have experienced such a tragedy of losing lives in the line of duty.

My sincere condolences are extended to the bereaved families whose loved ones served their profession loyally under challenging circumstances. These dedicated employees work odd hours, long shifts and on public holidays.

The following issues which I want to briefly highlight have been constantly debated and should be brought to the attention of the powers that be.

First, the firefighter used to be a dedicated position with firerelated qualifications. In some administrations this is still the case except for Joburg. The paramedic vacancy was also a stand-alone dedicated position whose core function was medical related. The two functions has been combined, thus the term. This means the functions are rotated on a shift basis, being what is now termed multi-skilled (FF/EMT).

Second, at present two senior officials duly qualified in fire-related qualifications have been displaced by being deployed to entities in the City like metro bus and or City Power, namely the chief of Emergency Services and a divisional officer. When responding to high-rise building fires, there are standard operating procedures and protocols that have to be followed. A senior person is tasked to issue instructions at the scene as safety is paramount.

During my tenure a report on the State of the Fire function of the Emergency Services in South Africa was presented and distributed to the South African Insurance Association, The Department of Constitutional Development and the Fire Protection Association and the Emergency Services of Joburg, of which I was party to, a report I still have in my possession.

I wish to point out just one observation of a quotation in the report which is relevant at this stage.

Weak inspection procedures due to staff shortages. There is the potential for huge life loss in many of the CBD and Hillbrow buildings. The report is dated 1999.

This is only one of the key fire safety and operational weaknesses identified by the investigation.

The report also identified that supervisory and management weaknesses exist.

As a concerned resident of the city, I highlighted this to make authorities aware of the current state of affairs in EMS and also the city at large. Letters were written to the MMC and the executive mayor without any response or acknowledgement. The impression is that matters are not being taken seriously until there is a crisis.

There are presently huge skill shortages at EMS due to the exit of capable and qualified staff.

VINCENT KAYS | Johannesburg