Fire station dad helped build now in ruins

Honiball Street residents Debbie Hajjar and her mother, Mariana Pretorius, have been disappointed about the state of the Rynfield Fire Station, formally known as the Ted Barber Fire Station.

“My father, Daniel Erasmus, helped build the station in 1986. He saw them building and approached one of the contractors and offered his assistance, where he then assisted until the job was completed,” said Debbie.

In December 2018, a fire broke out at the back of the station, burning through a few of the apartments which were originally used for the firefighters who worked abnormal evening and day shifts.

“We saw it burning from our balcony and even though it was only a small part of the station that burnt, it still did some damage. I don’t know why it took so long for the fire to be put out considering this was a fire station. The state it was left in once the fire had been put out was terrible,” said Debbie.

According to the residents in the area, the fire station has been left in that state since 2018.

“Some of the windows are broken and the paint has come off. It seems as though squatters are in the buildings now. It’s dirty and the fence around the station is also broken, leaving easy in and out access. It looks awful and breaks our hearts because my dad, who is no longer around, helped build this fire station, so there is a lot of memories for us which are being saddened by the state of the building,” said Debbie.

Debbie has fond memories of her childhood relating to the fire station.

“As a child, I remember the firefighters putting foam into an open area for all the neighbourhood children to play in, and I was one of them. I have fond memories of this place looking stunning and of feeling safe and being a friendly place during my childhood. Now, I have been looking at it in this state for the past two years and I can’t anymore. It’s very distressing and a heartsore. I wish they would do something to fix it.”

Former firefighter tells his story
Rob Nitrel, a former firefighter at the Ted Barber Fire Station, voiced his concerns and feelings regarding what his former place of work looks like now.

“I joined Benoni Fire and Emergency Services in 1992. The first station I reported to was Ted Barber and over the years I was stationed at all five stations that were part of Barrie Fire and Emergency Service, namely the Central, Farrarmere, Daveyton and Etwatwa fire stations. When

I started at Ted Barber, the station needed a bit of paint, but inside was well maintained. There were clean showers and bathrooms, a working kitchen, lounge with a TV, a fridge and a microwave.

“We all had our own rooms and we were always looked after.  The drill yard was clean, as were the engine bays, and although the machines were not the most modern they were well maintained.

“We had regular training sessions and the team work was always great. We were brothers who were proud of our station and made sure it stayed clean. I left just before Ekurhuleni metro took over the service, and it was still in fair shape. I did, however, still visit friends there afterwards and the decline at the station was alarming.

“The buildings at the back of the station, as in the yard itself, were used as a museum to house all the old fire engines. They were then moved to the front engine bay, where they have been left to fall apart. On the left of the station were the staff flats. I stayed in two of the flats over the years I was there.

“They were great two or three bedroom flats, and we were charged a very nominal rental living there very happily, even using the park to hold braais and parties. It was great fun. I am not sure what they look like now, but judging from what I see when I drive past, not so great anymore.
“I was not employed there when the fire occurred in 2018 so, unfortunately, I cant comment on that.

“The person who was in charge of the flats was Ansie de Waal, but she has, unfortunately, died.
“We used to report problems to Tannie Ansie and they would get sorted out. It’s sad and disappointing to see the deterioration of a place I once held very close to my heart,” concluded Rob.

Ekurhuleni metro responds (Nhlanhla Cebekhulu, divisional head: communication and media relations):

The Ted Barber Fire Station is now under the management of the City of Ekurhuleni and has been renamed Rynfield Fire Station. The station was handed over from private ownership to the metro in a state that required refurbishment.

On assessment, the process had to be divided into two phases, of which phase one has been completed. Phase one focused on machine bays and the office block and the second phase is still underway.

It is also imperative to highlight that in the past, firefighters were working 24-hour and 72-hour shift systems during the week and on weekends, respectively. This meant that firefighters slept at work and stayed with their families in the fire station flats. This is no longer the case.

In the new dispensation, the working conditions of firefighting should comply with the country’s labour laws. Firefighters work 12 hours a day and sleep at their own homes, meaning the houses within fire stations are no longer a direct responsibilities of the fire stations or the municipality, but is that of owners, as they have been outsourced.

Emergency services acknowledges the concern by members of the public and accordingly shall address other phases of refurbishments that are still outstanding.

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