Firefighters geared up for the festive season
"We are usually called out to many accidents on the highways and really want to urge all motorists to drive safely, don't drink and drive and be tolerant on the road," said Dennis Govender, divisional commander at eThekwini Fire in Pinetown.
ETHEKWINI Fire is urging the Highway community to be safe this festive season.
According to Dennis Govender, divisional commander at eThekwini Fire in Pinetown, the A Division will be on duty on Christmas eve and Christmas day and New Year’s eve and New Year’s day.
“Naturally, with Christmas lights, residents are urged to not to switch them on over a long period. Switch them off before you sleep and make sure the lights are SABS approved and are up to standards,” said Govender.
He said the fire department did not usually have to attend to fires during this time of the year, but its major concern was an increase in motor vehicle accidents.
“The festive period is alarming for motorists.”
“We are usually called out to many accidents on the highways and really want to urge all motorists to drive safely, don’t drink and drive and be tolerant on the road. Also, if you see an emergency vehicle coming through, please give way and do not use the emergency lane,” said Govender.
Leading firefighter, Rogers ‘Strongman’ Vilakazi, who has been working at the fire department for the past seven years and senior firefighter, Candice Clarke, the past three years, said they would be on duty and were looking forward to a happy festive season, helping the community wherever they could.
“We have trained and prepared ourselves to take on any situation but really hope that this season is incident free,” said Vilakazi.
They wished the community a Merry Christmas and happy new year.
