The Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba welcomed the first batch of emergency service vehicles for the City of Johannesburg.
On 23 September, while at the Public Safety Headquarters, and joined by MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, and acting MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Leah Knott, Mashaba expressed his excitement around the unveiling of a new fleet of 10 skid vehicles, with another five on their way by week’s end. Between 20 September and 30 November, 68 emergency service vehicles will be delivered while another 24 are still on the production line.
Mashaba explained that this day marked the start of a new journey, “This is an unprecedented order of fire engines in any municipality in the history of South Africa, these are 92 engines we will be receiving within the coming months.”
He shared that through various budget research they found that one big fire engine could have cost the City about R16 million, however, with the current supplier they have, they were able to garner a massive saving, with an engine of the same good quality at R2.8 million. “It was through this saving that we are in the position to buy so many vehicles.”
He also said this is exciting news for the residents, particularly those in the informal settlements who did not have fit-for-purpose vehicles to fight fires in their communities. “We ordered a vehicle that would be able to extinguish fires in any building regardless of its size.”
Knott explained that without the work of people on the ground like the EMS, there would not be tourism, economic growth, nor would we have development within our city. “This day has been a long time coming and this is something that the Mayor and MMC Sun have driven over the last three years and it has not been easy.”
Sun reiterated Knott’s statement saying it had been a difficult journey getting to this day. After two failed attempts with a two different suppliers to get the new vehicles, it was third time’s a charm for the City. “This is the beginning of a delivery schedule we have all been waiting so long for,” said Sun.
He disputed claims that the City only has about three fire engines, although he recognised there is a shortage. He was quite vocal in expressing that it is important the community educate themselves on the different functions of the varying emergency vehicles. “These varying vehicles are not readily available and need to be ordered and manufactured.”
All that being said, he acknowledged the importance of this fleet delivery and the benefits it has on the City. Sun went on to plead with communities to treat these vehicles with the same respect they would their own valued possession. He shared in some communities, some residents would go as far as to stone these emergency vehicles, “These vehicles belong to you and we are pleading with you to look after them.”
Should they be well looked after, these emergency vehicles should last the City about 30 years.
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