Toti residents can rest assured that no matter the emergency, Toti Fire Station is well equipped to deal with any situation.
“We deal with all types of fires, including grass, bush, house, shack, building, factory, vehicle, ship and aircraft,” said regional commander, Sbu Mkhulisi.
Its equipment to deal with all types of fires is extensive and includes four 2,000 litre rescue pumps, with firefighting and rescue gear; a 3,000 litre light pump which services the Folweni area; two 12,000 litre water carriers, a hydraulics platform, which can extend to 36 metres; a foam tender to deal with petroleum liquid fires at factories, aircraft or highway incidents; a specialist chemical incident unit based at Jacobs Fire Station; and a heavy rescue vehicle for all large rescues.
Each engine carries water, but can also draw water from dams, pools, rivers or hydrants on roads and can use internal hydrants in factories.
“We deal with all types of fires, including grass, bush, house, shack, building, factory, vehicle, ship and aircraft,”
“Water hydrants are placed at 90m intervals on roads,” said Sbu. “This water is from the council’s water supply. That is why we urge residents never to obscure hydrants or park their vehicles in front of them.”
Toti Fire can deal with hazard materials such as chemicals. “Most companies contract specialised companies to clear up chemical spills, but we will contain and create a safe environment in the immediate area. With all fuels and chemicals, we are always aware of the environment impact if it has to get into drains or rivers, so we build dams or dykes to stop the flow and remove it safely, before it can flow into the water source and create an environment disaster,” said Sbu.
The special services Toti Fire offers includes motor vehicle accidents and entrapments. “These are done free of charge. All our engines have equipment to carry out rescues and our people are trained to do extrications.
The special services Toti Fire offers includes motor vehicle accidents and entrapments. “These are done free of charge.
We can also do high angle rescues with abseiling equipment if someone has fallen down a cliff or in a ship, as well as all types of rescues. All our fire fighters complete a swift water rescue course to do rescues in strong flowing rivers or flood conditions.”
Two teams from the Metro have been selected to participate in the South African Emergency Services Institute conference, where they will compete in extricating and high angle rescue competitions at Nasrec in Johannesburg from 1 to 6 November.
‘Jaws of life’ extricating equipment on Toti Fire engines include spreaders, shears, which are big scissors used to cut roofs off or through any thick metal, and rams, which can push a heavy object away from people or lift beams. It can also be adapted with chains to pull.
Petrol-operated generators, pumps and angle grinders are also among the equipment on engines.
All fire fighters are trained in administering basic medical attention.
In an emergency call-out each engine is staffed with a driver, officer and three crew members.
“For any structural fire, a divisional commander will respond with two fire engines and a water carrier.
In an emergency, phone Toti Fire 031 361 0000
Click here to read more about Toti Fire
