According to the DEMS spokesperson, William Ntladi, people often dial old or wrong numbers when they want to report fire incidents.
Ntladi reminded residents that when dialling from a landline the toll free Fire and Ambulance Emergency Services number is 10177. Alternatively people can contact the toll free 112 number from their cellphone.
Ekurhuleni’s Emergency Services’ direct emergency number is 011 458 0911, but it is a paid line.
The contact numbers listed on the boards outside fire stations are old numbers.
Ntladi said the department is in the process of replacing all the old boards in the city with new ones displaying the correct DEMS numbers.
A source suggested that the telephone lines to the Leon Ferreira Fire Station, in Boksburg, have been cut off due to the non-payment of bills.
This proved to be unfounded as all the calls to the landlines for the station went through. -@FanieFLK
