Questions raised after no response from fire station
“We are always with those who are most vulnerable in their most defenceless moments," William Ntladi commented.
‘Concerned resident’ writes by email:
I have a complaint as well as a concern with regards to the service or rather lack thereof from the fire station.
On Sunday evening, May 13, around 6pm, my parents had a fire at their home in Dalpark Extension Nine/11.
In a state of panic and shock, they didn’t know who to contact or what to do, so they called me to contact the fire station while they tried to put it out.
Their neighbour noticed the fire and tried contacting the fire station but got no response and so helped to put out the fire.
My niece remembered she had the number and gave it to my mum to call; they tried continuously.
We had about four people trying to contact them, but could not get through.
Thank God the fire was put out before the house could catch alight, but the outside room was burnt to ashes.
I called the following numbers and no one could assist me: 10111, 011 744 4940, 112, 082 110 and 011 999 7997.
My concern is that if an event or something like this happens, can we really rely on the fire station to assist us?
Or do we let everything go to ashes?
Editor’s note: Comment was requested from Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (Dems) and the following response was received from spokesperson William Ntladi:
“Dems would like to sympathise with the owners for the loss of property due to fire,” he said.
“The fire service has unparalleled access towards public demand.
“We are always with those who are most vulnerable in their most defenceless moment.
“We ensure, above all else, that those who are in desperate need, are being taken care of every second of the day throughout the year in preserving their lives and properties from the harrow of fire.
“We have gone through our electronic system and unfortunately no call was logged with our call centre requesting our services in Dalpark Extension Nine/11.
“It is with great sadness to state that the numbers provided are not linked with Ekurhuleni Emergency Services.
“We urge our residents to utilise our direct call centre life-threatening emergency number, 011 458 0911 or the national toll-free number 10177 which is directed to the nearest emergency call centre according to the caller.
“112 is an international cellphone emergency number for different service providers.”
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