DEMS is reminding the public that ambulance services are no longer the responsibility of the metro, but the Gauteng Ambulance Services.
William Ntladi, DEMS district manager media liaison, said a lot of people are still phoning the metro call centre when in need of medical or trauma services, unaware the ambulance service now falls under the province.
To further create awareness of this, the DEMS Public Information, Education and Relations (PIER) Department held a series of campaigns to engage with the public and explain how the ambulance services now work.
“The public is still of the opinion that medical and trauma services are DEMS’s responsibilities,” said Ntladi.
“When not assisted with ambulance services, they vent their anger and frustrations on firefighters and other resources. From July 1, when the service was moved to the Gauteng province, several fire stations have been attacked by the public, with windows shattered and firefighters physically and verbally attacked.”
Makause and Delport informal settlements, near Primrose Fire Station, were the two communities reached by firefighters on the provincialisation of ambulance services.
“The objective is to reach more individuals at the shopping malls and informal settlements within the City,” Ntladi concluded.
For trauma and medical ambulance services, the public should contact the Gauteng Provincial Ambulance Call Centre on 011 564 2210/1.
DEMS is contactable on 011 458 0911 for fire and rescue services. The Life-Threatening Call Centre number is linked to all 29 fire stations and rescuers will respond accordingly.
Who to contact for what:
• For medical and trauma patient care, call Gauteng Ambulance Services on 011 564 2211 or 011 564 2210.
• City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Fire and Rescue Services: 011 458 0911 (Life-Threatening Ekurhuleni Emergency Line)
• National toll-free number: 10177
• Emergency help from a cellphone: 112
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