Fire hydrants are there to assist firefighters with their daily task of extinguishing fires.
As a result, residents of Weltevreden Park were elated on 24 April when they noticed members of the Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) checking hydrants.
Honeydew Community Policing Forum (CPF) public relations officer Jon Rosenberg, was surprised when he noticed EMS checking the hydrants.
“I stood outside and I spotted the firetruck and I was surprised because they haven’t inspected the hydrants in a long while and this goes hand in hand with safety in the area.”
Ward 89 councillor Ingrid Reinten said, “I am glad to hear that some of the fire hydrants were serviced in the Weltevreden Park area, as this was long overdue.”
She also added that she is disappointed because EMS did not notify her about the maintenance work. “As a public representative it is my role to be able to account to the residents as to what the city is planning. I hope that we will be able to continue to build systems of delivery and oversight with the city.”
Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said, “We can confirm that EMS serviced all of the hydrants in Weltevreden Park and we normally conduct day to day hydrant inspections. These inspections need to take place because we need to be ready in case a fire breaks out and every hydrant needs to be operational.”
He also said that what EMS does during these inspections is check the pressure of the hydrant and its condition. “If it’s dirty we clean up the debris. It’s not only our responsibility to check the hydrants but also the responsibility of the residents because safety is a collective responsibility.”
Rosenberg concluded and said, “I have to thank EMS for being proactive and now residents can rest assured knowing that the hydrants are all in a working order.”
