Thembisa fire station has a 36% staff shortfall
Thembisa firefighters are stretched to capacity.
Tembisa Fire Station is buckling under chronic understaffing and needs its own emergency rescue.
This was revealed in reply to questions asked by the DA in the council.
According to the South African National Standards (10090 risk category), the minimum number of personnel required at the Tembisa Fire Station should be 56. However, there are only 36 firefighters, resulting in a shortfall of 20 firefighters, which makes it 36% of the required number of personnel.
According to Clr Bongani Nkosi, the operational shortfall is above a third and the Thembisa firefighters are stretched to capacity and under continuous strain.
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“The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) is supposed to have a minimum of 1 160 firefighters. However, there are only 728 firefighters, resulting in a shortfall of 432.
“It is impossible for the CoE to expect firefighters to provide speedily and reliable services when under-staffed.
“This has a direct impact on the quality of services provided to the residents, where every second is crucial to saving lives.
“Given the recent disasters within the CoE, one would have expected some form of urgency in ensuring that we at least meet minimum standards.
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“Our firefighters cannot continue operating under these conditions. The DA will be tabling a motion in council which will insist that all 432 vacant positions be declared critical and that the city manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi does her job and ensures all our fire stations have the minimum number of firefighters,” said Nkosi.
