The City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services calls for protection after its teams have recently had to fight off attacks while on duty.
EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said incidents of robberies and hijackings have been reported in Denver, Alexandra, Cosmo City, Soweto, Brixton and Eikenhof.
The deputy director of fire and rescue services, Tshepo Setlako, conducted an awareness campaign on 1 November.
“The main aim of the awareness campaign was to plead with the residents to remove and report all criminal elements within their communities who are not only endangering the lives of their loved ones but also disrupting service delivery of emergency services in their area,” Mulaudzi said.
Indeed, he said the biggest obstacle firefighters, paramedics and other EMS personnel face is not fighting fires, running into burning buildings or saving lives, but being attacked … by both criminals and frustrated residents.
The incidents, which have been plaguing emergency response teams, both state and private, create fear within the service. Mulaudzi pleads with communities to protect these teams as they protect them.
“We hope that our residents will work with us, not only to create safer communities but a safer city.”
Details: For any life-threatening emergencies call 10177 on a Telkom landline or 112 from your cellphone or 011 375 5911.
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