Allegations that all are not well at fire stations in the Merafong municipal area came to light this week. According to a statement released on Sunday, there was only one functioning fire truck available to serve the area’s approximately 198 000 residents. According to the release there were also
no drills, ongoing training or fire prevention activities taking place in the area. There have been allegations of problems at fire stations in the area before with community members pointing out to the Herald’s journalist that there seems to be no activity at the Khutsong Fire Station. Although the DA alleged “The Khutsong and Fochville Fire Stations had no operational firefighting equipment”, Fochville’s Chief Fire Officer, Mr Nico Kahts, confirmed that this fire station has a recently repaired fire truck as well as other equipment. Carletonville’s Chief Fire Officer, Mr Tsemane Tsotetsi, in turn told the Herald that although three of Carletonville’s vehicles are currently in for repairs, two might again be ready for use by this week. He further indicated that although an employee has been left to answer phones at the Khutsong Fire Station, most of the personnel from this station are currently operating from Carletonville as the most fires in the area occur in the region of this town. Tsotetsi also rubbished claims by the DA that there are no drills, ongoing training or fire prevention activities taking place. When the Herald contacted him on Tuesday, Tsotetsi indicated that he was in fact at the district offices with personnel that had to be trained. He added that other training and drills also take place regularly. He added that although activities related to fire prevention is often conducted from national government level, local personnel also sometimes distribute information
on fire prevention at schools or in the community. With regard to allegations that personnel has not received new uniforms in three years, Tsotetsi indicated that although this can be true for some personnel, the tender process to acquire new uniforms had already started towards the end of the previous financial year, which ended in June. Tsotetsi however told the Herald that problems have been experienced due to water interruptions or pressure problems in Carletonville and Khutsong, one such case being at the huge fire that broke out at the Khutsong Police Station barracks earlier this year. The same water interruptions and pressure problems that have recently affected other members of the public, also have an effect on the operation of fire fighters. “Although the municipality is, by law, supposed to notify us of water problems, this is not always done,” Tsotetsi indicated.
He further added that the maintenance of fire hydrants has to be done by the Merafong City Local Municipality and that there are two types or hydrants, some being on top of the ground while others are buried under the ground and identified by yellow stones
