Stop attacks on emergency personnel and equipment
Emergency services appeals to communities to help protect emergency personnel and equipment.
With the festive season on the doorstep, the metro urges motorists and communities to cooperate with the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS).
Speaking at the Ekurhuleni Press Club last Friday, spokespersons of the city of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni DEMS, Robert Mulaudzi and William Ntladi, told the media that the two cities were experiencing an increase in attacks on their staff, including damage to emergency vehicles and fire stations.
“In one of the attacks, one member had to discontinue practising as a firefighter because of the injuries she sustained.
“Other staff members are undergoing medical treatment and emotional counselling.
“Several vehicles had to be withdrawn because of the damages that occurred during the attacks,” Ntladi said.
These attacks are irrational in that they eventually reduce the already strained resources, which are meant to save lives.
The attacks affect unarmed emergency personnel in many ways and this in turn impacts negatively on the communities who need their services.
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Some of the recent incidents of attack, and abuse of emergency personnel and resources in the metro were:
• Personnel were robbed and assaulted in Somalia Informal Settlement in Vosloorus on October 29.
• An ambulance was stoned in Greenfield in Palm Ridge on October 30.
• Personnel were assaulted and a fire engine was shot at in Dukathole on July 16.
• Personnel from Leon Ferreira Fire Station had to dive for cover when shots were fired at them and the fire engine.
• Fire engine’s stoned windscreen was damaged during an attack in the Angelo Informal Settlement on December 17, 2016.
• A fire engine from Zonkizizwe Fire Station was burnt in Moleleki Extension Two in Katlehong on September 4, 2016.
• Personnel from the Daveyton Fire Station were shot at by a random gunman while working on the station premises on August 28, 2016.
• Personnel from the Primrose Fire Station sustained injuries and a fire engine was damaged during an attack at the fire station on August 13, 2016.
• A paramedic was assaulted on the N3 northbound while attending to an accident scene on November 7, 2016.
Authorities appeal to all citizens to visit their moral compasses and to protect emergency personnel who are providing an essential service to communities.
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