Making sure they are ready

Our emergency services are being kept on their toes, writes Nabeelah Shaikh

IT WAS like a scene from an action movie: leaping flames, black smoke, loud bangs and terrified screams. In reality it was a simulated fuel tanker accident involving local emergency services with the aim of putting their skills to the test.

The re-enactment was arranged by Nonke Petroleum with more than 100 participants and 21 specialised emergency vehicles taking part.

“Fuel tankers are the most dangerous vehicles on the roads, carrying loads that make them more vulnerable to rollovers and explosions, and with a large number of petroleum tankers travelling on South Africa’s roads on a daily basis, emergency services and fuel companies need to be well equipped to han- dle disasters – hence this event,” said Craig Scott, a spokesman for Nonke.

The company hosts the annual demonstration as part of its health and safety awareness programme.

This year the South African Police Service, EMRS, RTI, Durban Metro Police, Spilltech, the eThekwini Fire Department, BP and car towing services participated in the simulation.

The exercise involved a van which transported five sugar cane workers in the rear part of the vehicle on the R102 to oThongathi (Tongaat).

The van overtook a Nonke delivery vehicle and collided with the side of the Nonke tanker, rupturing the tank which resulted in a major spill, fire and multiple serious injuries.

The impact of the collision led to workers being thrown on to the road, 3 000 litres of “fuel” (water with food dye) spilling into the environment and multiple fires.

A passer-by “noticed” the accident and alerted the 24/7 Nonke operations office.

“The five-hour demonstration ended sooner than expected thanks to emergency services which responded promptly. The response time was quick in this instance because it was closer to metropolitan areas. This is not always the case – in most cases these accidents happen far away and response time is longer,” said Gert Verwey, training officer at the eThekwini Municipality’s Fire Department.

Verwey said the response time was vital as such accidents could be catastrophic.

“There are many fuel tankers travelling on our roads on a daily basis and just one disaster is catastrophic, it disrupts productivity and in turn has ramifications on the economy. Not only does it impact on road closures and commercial vehicles but in many instances it is deemed an environmental disaster too,” said Road Traffic Inspectorate spokeswoman Zinhle Mngomezulu.

“RTI officers attend traffic training colleges and are well equipped to handle such situations regarding all types of dangerous goods vehicles. Fire departments also play a major role in terms of these accidents,” Mngomezulu said.