Firefighters in Johannesburg need to keep the fire burning within them, despite often being the victims of community attacks.
This is the message acting Emergency Management Service (EMS) Chief Mhlengi Makhubalo highlighted during Joburg’s Firefighters’Commemoration Day on 16 May.
The chief said that while remembering the six EMS lives lost in the line of duty, one cannot help but be concerned about the rising number of attacks on EMS personnel across the city.
WATCH : EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi with Metro Reporter Chantelle Fourie
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EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi agreed. He said the day is a time where the City of Johannesburg recognises and honours the sacrifices that its firefighters make to ensure that communities and environments are safe.
As candles were lit in honour of the fallen, and Makhubalo rang the bell for each fallen firefighter, emotions ran high, especially among family members who attended.
“It is also a day on which current and past firefighters are appreciated for their dedication, discipline, and selfless service. Firefighters are acknowledged for their contribution towards the safety of all residents of the City,” Mulaudzi said.
MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, later said that like many children, his five-year-old dreams of becoming either a police officer or firefighter. He said that these are indeed the real-life heroes young ones look up to.
Section 79 public safety committee chairperson, Hilton Masera added that attacks on EMS are unacceptable.
“It cannot be that EMS needs to be escorted into communities since when we run for our lives, they run the opposite way to save lives.”
Fallen heroes remembered:
Firefighter K. Joubert
Firefighter P. Sidimela
Firefighter B. Slone
Firefighter D. Zwane
Firefighter M. Letsosa
Platoon Commander L. Mphatswe
Firefighter T. Thobodi
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