The winter season is notorious for its devastating raging fires which normally leave a trail of destruction, especially in informal settlements, prompting Buffalo City Metro to establish a fire and rescue forum in an attempt to mitigate fire incidents.
Over the years, the cold and chilling winter weather conditions have resulted in deadly shack fires, especially in Duncan Village, Orange Grove and Nompumelelo informal areas, and due to the congested shacks, the Buffalo City Metro’s Fleet Street fire and rescue services would struggle to quickly douse the blaze.
The Metro’s newly established fire forum comprises other neighbouring municipal fire and rescue services including Amathole District Municipality and Amahlathi, the Mercedes-Benz SA (MBSA) fire department, SA Red Cross and Transnet among others.
It was launched during a recent stakeholder meeting held at the Gonubie Resort. The establishment of the new Metro forum came a week after the DA in Buffalo City, led by party constituency leader, Leander Kruger, went on an oversight visit to the Fleet Street fire department.
Kruger said the Fleet Street fire department is in a shambolic state, especially the emergency call centre and CCTV offices.
“We will be taking our findings to the BCM council as well as the Bhisho Legislature for answers because the residents of the Metro deserve better,” said Kruger.
The fire forum committee also includes members from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations.
BCM’s public safety and security services boss, Boniswa Mzimba, said the fire forum will help improve delivery of services to communities.
“The forum will enhance the good work already done by our fire and rescue services. These collaborations help review and improve policies and practices, ensuring effectiveness of fire and rescue services,” said Mzimba.
