THE Amathole District Municipality (ADM) unveiled a new R5.6 million fire truck engine fitted with the necessary equipment to combat disasters in the Amathole district.
The 500 litre 4×4 fire truck was officially unveiled during a handover ceremony held at ADM’s district head offices in East London on Tuesday, November 12.
The additional fire truck is aimed at improving the district municipality’s capacity for prevention, preparation and response to disasters in an attempt to protect ADM’s communities.
ADM purchased the fire truck through the RT57 2022 contract with the National Treasury, which granted the municipality the right to purchase directly from the manufacturer to ensure quality and to save costs.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, ADM executive mayor Anele Ntsangani said the additional truck will significantly improve the capabilities, readiness and swift response of ADM’s Fire and Rescue Services operational team.
“Having been greatly affected by raging runaway fires which had harmful consequences for various communities in the district, particularly in Mbhashe, Mnquma, Raymond Mhlaba, Ngqushwa and Amahlathi local municipalities, the fire engine will help reinforce the speed at which the district responds to related disastrous incidents,” said Ntsangani.
The fire truck will be strategically located to serve the Amathole East region which comprises of Mbhashe and Mnquma, two local municipalities which have significantly been affected by raging fires and predominantly having rough and mountainous terrain.
ADM is a water services municipality ensuring the proper functioning of all bulk water and sanitation infrastructure projects in all local municipalities falling under its jurisdiction.
The five local municipalities under ADM include Mbhashe, Mnquma, Raymond Mhlaba, Ngqushwa and Great Kei.
