The City of Johannesburg recently launched 15 rapid intervention vehicles which will be distributed to all six districts of the City and are anticipated to be more efficient in fighting fires, especially in informal settlements.
The first batch of the 92 vehicles expected to be procured in this financial year was unveiled on 23 September at the Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s headquarters in Martindale. The specialised vehicles are not only equipped with firefighting equipment, but with rescue equipment for other emergencies as well. Each vehicle has a double tank, 400 litres of water, 100 litres of foam, a winch, grass beaters, a standpipe to connect to a hydrant and other additional tools.
Acting Chief of Emergency Management Services Rapulane Monageng said, depending on the magnitude and spread of the fire, the vehicles were sufficient to fight shack fires. “These vehicles can drive within the space where the shacks are, get to the scene and stabilise the situation. If it gets out of hand, they can call for back up. Before we experienced a problem where the streets in shack dwellings are small, so it took longer to get to where the fire was. But with the size of these vehicles, we will be able to reach the scene quicker,” he said.
Monageng said the vehicles, also known as grass fire vehicles, would be the first to respond to a scene, evaluate the situation and provide thorough information to the command centre on resources needed and the extent of the emergency. “The vehicles can also be used for vehicle rescue when there is a collision and people are trapped inside. They don’t have to wait for a bigger engine. The additional 92 will bring the total of vehicles to 130 vehicles with different categories.”
Out of the 15 recently launched rapid response vehicles, three will be allocated to Ivory Park, Diepsloot and Midrand, two to Alexandra, Modderfontein and Northview, three to Berea and Fairview, three to Orange Farm, Lawley and Turrfontein, two to Jabulani and two to Eldorado Park and Randburg, Florida and Roosevelt.
Fifteen duty rear mount pumpers, two-level two incident command vehicles and two industrial pumpers are expected to be delivered on 31 October. On 30 November, four hydraulic platforms, 20 major pumpers, four heavy-duty air trucks and six telescopic aerial ladders will be delivered. Other specialised vehicles currently on the production line include two heavy-duty hazmat vehicles, 12 water tankers, seven fire and rescue intervention vehicles, one prime mover and two heavy-duty rescue units.
City of Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba said, “It is exciting news for our residents, particularly in informal settlements where we did not have appropriate, fit for purpose vehicles to fight fires in those communities. One of the engines that would also be launched soon will reach the highest buildings to fight fires.”
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