Community welcomes new fire station
To show commitment to the safety of the community of Ekurhuleni, the city handed over a new fire station worth R50-million to the community of Thokoza on November 3.
The state-of-the-art building that will also serve the community of Katlehong, Zonkizizwe, Palm Ridge and the surrounding areas was presented to the community by Vivian Chauke the MMC of community safety.
In her speech to excited community members, Chauke said that this was the best fire station in Ekurhuleni.
“We have different fire stations in Ekurhuleni but none is like this,” said Chauke.
She pleaded with community members to look after the building as it is theirs.
The following will be offered by the new fire station: ambulances, rescue efforts, fire brigade, control of hazardous chemicals, disaster management and traffic police.
Sam Sibande, the acting head of department of Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), said the community must not take their anger to the fire station.
“No matter how angry you are about things that you feel are not done correctly by the municipality, do not take out your anger to the fire station. Don’t even think of burning it because actions will be taken against you,” said Sibande.
Chauke said among the things that the municipality has done to protect the community, the municipality has also helped 196 youth who were addicted to different types of dangerous drugs.
“We have taken them to rehab so they could turn their lives around.
“If we do nothing about the addicted youth, they become dangerous to the community and that is why we decided to send 196 addicted youth to rehab,” said Chauke.
She concluded by apologising for the absence of the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mzwandile Masina, who was supposed to hand over the building to the community.
Chauke said Masina had been held up in another government meeting.
According to William Ntladi, the district manager of Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), the deployed fire fighters are experienced.
“Most of them were working in the old fire station, but because the city is committed to creating job opportunities, we have employed new ones. The new ones will learn from the experienced ones,” said Ntladi.
Ntladi also said there were four ambulances and five fire engines bought to work at the fire station.
