THE South Durban Basin (SDB) emergency guide was presented to about 200 people at the Amanzimtoti Civic Centre on Tuesday, 13 October to mixed reviews.
The ‘Community Response Guide for Emergencies’ is a non-area specific plan to assist communities in the event of an emergency. It was developed following a mayoral visit to the SDB in May, where residents voiced their safety concerns.
The booklet, available in English and Zulu, focusses on bulk chemical, pipeline, oil refinery and hazardous road and rail emergencies.
“The SDB is home to two large petrochemical refineries, a paper mill, motor manufacturers, at least 5,000 businesses, 22,000 households and about 200,000 residents therefore the safety of residents living in close proximity to this high chemical and industrial area is one of the city’s main priorities,” said municipal speaker, Logie Naidoo, on behalf of mayor James Nxumalo.
The booklet and its contents were presented to the audience by disaster management department practitioner, Jamila Kalilombe, who highlighted that it was just a general emergency booklet and not specific to the area.
“The booklet focusses on strategies for protecting the public during an emergency, specifically staying in home or evacuating,” said Kalilombe.
During an emergency, residents will either be asked to shelter within their homes, sealing off all possible air entrance points or evacuate to a designated safety area. Local radio stations will broadcast notifications and the necessary precautionary measures.
The booklet also offers suggestions for a standard emergency kit to be kept in homes and safety tips.
Receiving the booklet favourably was ward 69 councillor, Brandon Pillay, who thanked the municipality for addressing the community’s concerns.
“Thank you for hearing the grievances of the community and creating this response guide. We must all work together in order to assist in all of our safety,” said Pillay.
Conversely, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) was not impressed with the booklet and claimed the SDB emergency booklet, as it was touted, was nothing more than a general plan, part of which had been copied from a booklet they had published years earlier. SDCEA was concerned that the booklet was not area specific and that more had not gone into the emergency plan, including specific safe zones and evacuation routes.
Further consultation by the municipality is planned within communities and businesses to reduce the risks during an emergency.
“I call on the private sector to play a role in the programme and for all citizens to memorise this booklet and emergency procedures,’’ said Naidoo. Senior manager of the fire department, Enoch Mchunu added that it was important for all residents to learn the municipal disaster management call centre number, 031-361-0000.
SDB ABM municipal services manager, Sifiso Xulu said the municipality is in talks with councillors, schools, community centres and libraries on a strategy for distributing the booklet. During the meeting it was suggested that an electronic application be created to give communities instant access to information related to emergencies.
To get a copy of the booklet email Thabile Khumalo on Thabile.Khumalo2@durban.gov.za, call 031-451-9818 or go to the municipality’s website: www.durban.gov.za.
