On reading the article in the July 12 edition of the South Coast Herald, ‘More fire engines needed‘, I had to have my say.
Fire departments are an important emergency service in our community. They respond to many types of calls – fires, disasters and rescues.
Many municipalities take fire departments as important, yet Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) does not appear to. I have seen buildings lost due to no vehicles and staff.
How do they deal with water woes when Ugu District Municipality is struggling to keep up with water supply?
Why don’t Ugu and RNM merge so resources can be managed well and properly controlled?
I can’t understand the duplication, yet they are less than 500m apart.
What are the functions of Ugu and RNM? Do we have two fire chiefs? Who is heading these fire departments? What is his vision and mission?
Can the ratepayer sue the municipality for negligence due to no resources and water supply if your house is affected?
CONCERNED CITIZEN
RESPONSE
RNM takes issues of fire service seriously
Establishment of both local and district municipalities is as a result of Section 155 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996 and Chapters 1 and 2 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998.
Whilst the disaster management function is the function of the district, Part B of Schedule 4 of the constitution says fire-fighting services is a function of the local municipality with the support of the district municipality.
On the issue of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality appearing as if they are not taking the fire services seriously, I will reiterate what I said last week, that the municipality does take the issue of fire services seriously.
One example in this regard: the municipality bought four new fire safety Land Cruiser units with the latest technology at a cost of R2,6 million each replacing the old ones.
The municipality has also planned that by the 2025/26 financial year, it should have purchased two heavy-duty fire engines.
The issue of fire incidents cannot be resolved by having fire safety equipment or resources only, but by everyone playing their part in preventing fire incidents and being extra cautious, especially during winter.
SIMON APRIL
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality spokesman
HAVE YOUR SAY
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