THE Sarah Baartman District Municipality has handed over fire and rescue equipment to four of its seven local municipalities.
The Sunday’s River Valley Municipality was one of the local municipalities which benefited, with the receiving of fire and rescue equipment to the value of R614 280. The other municipalities which benefited are Dr Beyers Naudé and Koukamma.
The equipment includes, but is not limited to, the following:
. Jaws of Life
. fire hoses
. sledgehammers
. firemen axes
. crow bars
. breathing apparatus, including self-contained portable compressor.
This equipment is an addition to the vehicles that were handed over to the municipalities in May this year.
Two satellite fire stations to the value of R933 411 were also handed over to Makana Municipality. These stations in Alicedale and Riebeeck East, will assist in reducing response times of fire and rescue services to outlying areas.
The Executive Mayor of Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Cllr Khunjuzwa Eunice Kekana said, “Fires and any other types of disasters create devastation in our communities and we as municipalities have to do our best to reduce the damage these disasters cause.”
Owing to the persistent drought, conservation of water continues to be a priority therefore preventing fires is vital.
Help prevent fires
She also emphasised that every community member has to play his/her part in fire prevention by doing the following:
. Avoid starting fires in hot and dry weather conditions, especially if it is windy.
. Never use inflammable liquids to start your fire.
. Keep matches or any inflammable items out of reach of children.
. Never leave a fire unattended.
. Do not start a fire near vegetation or inflammable material.
. You must always ensure that a cigarette is completely extinguished before you discard it.
. Save the SBDM Disaster Management toll-free number (0800 222 238) on your cellphone to be able to immediately report veld fires.
All community members are urged to report fires and any other incident to their Local Municipality Fire Services Department or Sarah Baartman District Municipality’s Disaster Management toll-free number 0800 222 238.
(Issued by: Sarah Baartman District Municipality Communications)
