We know that part of the bigger problem facing the city’s fire services is a shortage of substantial fire engines needed to ensure fire stations are well equipped to respond to emergencies on time. As a result of this shortage of about 40 fire trucks, neighbouring fire stations have been forced to share the available resource to respond to fire emergencies.
Dealing with the woes that beset the fire service rests with the city’s public safety department led by MMC Mgcini Tshwaku, who told this publication last month that they had decided to re-advertise the tender for new fire engines. But we must ask in the meantime who is going to provide a fire-safe environment for the citizens of Joburg if the fire service is rendered incapable of protecting them from devastating fires this winter.
We have previously warned that these delays in getting new fire engines for the city will have devastating consequences, especially for the vulnerable communities. Of course, that doesn’t mean due diligence shouldn’t be done before buying the much-needed fire trucks. What we are calling for instead is urgency and priortising of fire safety to avert more tragedies and loss of lives.
The safety of poor citizens of Joburg must weigh heavily on the minds of the authorities when making these decisions.