Another poor Joburg community receives winter fire safety kits

17 July 2017

 

Residents of the Springbok informal settlement in Moffatview, Region F, southern Johannesburg, have become the latest recipients of the Jozi Safety kits as the City of Johannesburg continues to roll out its 2017 Winter Safety campaign.

 

On Sunday July 16, the Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) and Region F’s Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Department handed over a total of 36 safety kits to Springbok residents to ensure they are well-armed and prepared for any fire-related eventuality.

Every year since 2009 EMS spends up to R1-million to purchase and distribute a total of 1 000 safety kits to informal settlements and other vulnerable communities across the city in a bid to eliminate the damage, injuries and fatalities caused by fires.

Last year, EMS officers responded to a total of 790 fires that claimed 23 lives. The number of fatalities in fire-related incidents in 2016 represented a significant drop compared with 32 deaths the previous year.

Each kit contains a para-safe stove, a hydro gel and bandage to treat minor burns, solar lantern light, paraffin container with a safety cap, smoke detector, fire retard spray and a 7.25-litre bucket ‎to store water.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety Cllr Michael Sun launched this year’s Winter Safety campaign in Zandspruit in Region C on June 1.

Yesterday’s handover ceremony was attended by Ward 57 Councillor Faeeza Chame, Proportional Representative Councillor Tyrell Meyers and DA Member of Parliament Manny de Freitas.

Cllr Chame said the Springbok informal settlement residents deserved a better life and dignity. “I’m confident the residents will make use of the safety kits to save lives during a fire emergency,” she said.

De Freitas said he was excited to be part of the occasion. “These are the forgotten and neglected people. It’s a noble effort to help them to live in safe conditions. I hope they co-operate with the City in trying to make life better,” he said.

Divisional EMS Chief Synock Matobako urged the community to use the safety kits properly and when there was a need. He thanked them for their co-operation and willingness to take part in the safety training programme.

Solomon Mkhari, one of the residents who underwent a basic firefighting training course and provided with a safety kit, welcomed the move as it would minimise the number of fire incidents in the area.