Apart from a recent robbery that led to a loss of items worth approximately R30 000, the Motherwell Fire Station has also been in a state of disrepair since 2019, with the building having almost no lights or any proper staff facilities.
The fire station has been in the process of renovations for the past three years but there are currently no proper locker rooms, offices or a general area for staff to sit down and recharge after a long shift of firefighting.
During PE Express’ visit, it was evident that new rooms had been built inside the building for the purpose of becoming offices and locker rooms, among others.
However, these rooms have not been completed.
Some of them still need to be plastered, others need a coat of paint, another one is in need of flooring and in the middle of the dark passageway, there is a long fluorescent light placed on a chair to provide light. There is also no furniture in these rooms and the only place where staff can sit between calls is in a small room on the top floor of the building where there is a counter and a few chairs.
DA spokesperson for safety and security in the metro, Gustav Rautenbach, said that this fire station also has two fire trucks servicing the whole Motherwell area, with only six people on duty per shift, meaning that there is a serious shortage of staff.
Although there are currently four fire engines parked at the station, one is broken, another one is retired, leaving only two in a working condition.
To make matters worse, a recent break-in at the station led to the theft of a computer monitor and box, mouse, keyboard, printer, USB flash drive, a cellphone and various books, worth a combined total of approximately R30 000.
The thieves also smashed the window of one of the offices and cut the wiring to a flood light on the outside of the building.
Rautenbach explained that the burglary took place during the recent protest action on the Addo Road, where protesters were burning tyres, blocking the roads and setting trucks alight.
“The firefighters from this station went to the scene to extinguish the fires but some community members did not want that, so later, during the early hours of the morning around 03:00, they came back and robbed the place as an act of revenge.”
He added that, according to information received, a fence was cut at the far corner of the facility but it seemed too small for the approximately 20 people who robbed the station, to climb through, which means that they probably jumped over the fence to gain access.
“There aren’t permanent security officers stationed at the facility but every time the place gets robbed, security guards, usually only two, are recruited for about two to three weeks to guard the station.
“However, these are unarmed, with not even pepper spray or a baton in their possession, making them sitting ducks, just like the rest of the staff,” Rautenbach said.
“No one was injured during the robbery but the staff are traumatised. These are unsafe working conditions and stressful for the firefighters. It is also unfair towards them.
“There is not even a siren for when there is a fire. They receive a phone call when they have to respond to a fire. To add to that, 90% of the equipment bought within the last five years have been stolen with pleas for proper equipment falling on deaf ears,” he said.
DA PR Councillor assigned to ward 56, Noxolo Mafumana, said that it was painful for her to see the working conditions of the firefighters.
“This is not the situation that they are supposed to work in. There is not even a siren to make it known immediately when there is a fire. This station is poor when it comes to community services because of these conditions.
“There aren’t even any heaters here. It is not fair. I will follow up with a public meeting. People must secure their facilities, not only the fire station, but the depot too,” she said.
Head of disaster management in the metro, Shane Brown, said that the reason for the renovations not yet being completed was because the contractors could not operate in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We could also only continue late in the 2021 budget year with the project. It must also be remembered that this project is heavily dependent on supply chain management processes, which take a bit of time. In the current financial year, there is no budget available to continue with the project and we are looking for savings from other projects that we can transfer to continue with this project,” Brown said.
He added that discussions were currently underway for the Metro Police to also move into the building and that space has already been identified.
“We have asked the Metro Police to do night patrols at the station.”
Regarding the lighting issue at the station, Brown explained that with the renovations that had taken place, the inside lighting had been affected but is being attended to. The Department of Electricity and Energy would complete the rewiring.
Addressing the issue of the alleged serious shortage of staff, Brown said that vacancies were an issue at all fire stations and were being attended to although no time frame could be given.
“When it comes to the trucks, we would like to place new and more vehicles at all fire stations but due to budget constraints, it is not possible at this stage.
“We are looking at getting some funds to start purchasing new vehicles in the new financial year.
“All stations have all the necessary equipment needed to do their jobs, although theft and loss of equipment is a serious problem.
“Equipment is being stolen at emergency incidents and also at the fire station. However, if equipment is lost and it is reported, we immediately replace it, but sometimes the staff neglect to report lost or stolen equipment,” Brown said.
He confirmed that, following the break-in, counselling was scheduled for the staff at their Wellness Centre.
“All our staff members are aware of the fact that counselling is freely available in terms of the municipality’s employee assistance programme.”
