FIVE hundred learners from the entire City’s regions graduated on May 8, following their part in an intensive two-week basic fire-fighting and first aid course which was held earlier this year.
The ceremony was held at Orlando Community Hall. Addressing the learners, Emergency Management Services (EMS) Johannesburg acting chief Mhlengi Makhubalo said, “Introducing life safety education to our communities plays a critical role in assisting the reduction of emergency incidents. Because when emergencies strike, the personnel on scene are the first line of protection and defence.”
Through the School Emergency Response Teams (SERT) programme, EMS has been reaching out to schools, offering training for schools to be able to react in an emergency.
“The City is building a resilient community, hence SERT were introduced at schools because learners can cascade information easily to all families.
“Life safety education assists to reduce fire incidents and medical emergencies. Furthermore, the programme is rolled out to the communities as community response teams,” said Makhubalo.
Plans are afoot to roll out the training to teachers so that they can command and control incidents at school.
“The teachers will be able to manage the incident until professionals arrive on the scene,” said Makhubalo.
Programme director and EMS divisional head Synock Matobako called on the graduates to become the first line of defence for EMS officials.
“Our EMS officers have been coming under attack when they respond to emergencies. Communities are denied fast response times because ambulances are being hijacked and EMS and JMPD officials are attacked or even killed. SERT members must help residents report these crimes to authorities,” said Matobako.
Gauteng Education Department’s Solly Mabunda remarked that teachers could see significantly changed behaviour from learners who were part of the SERT programme.
“Those on the programme are more disciplined and have a sense of purpose in life,” said Mabunda.
South African Fire Youth Academy graduate 20-year-old Kelebogile Mokhabudi said the training has changed her way of thinking.
“The programme has made me a better person and ensured I don’t live a reckless life as a result of peer pressure,” Mokhabudi said.
Also Read:
Certificates awarded to CPF patrollers
Crèches to acquire project management skills
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
