July 1, 2003
By Tendai Dhliwayo
JOHANNESBURG residents will be able to experience the work of the city's fire fighters first-hand over the next six weeks.
Emergency Management Services will set up displays and demonstrations at major shopping centres. This forms part of a marketing drive by the city's emergency services.
Members of the public will be able to see the newest state of the art fire-fighting equipment; learn about safety in the home and at work; and receive information on evacuating dangerous locations. Booklets and information pamphlets will also be handed out and emergency personnel will be on hand to answer any questions.
Emergency services will also run several programmes for children.
"It is said 'if you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail'," the EMS said in a statement. "The truth is, in an emergency you are either prepared or unprepared. If you are unprepared in a fire accident the consequences could be disastrous - but they could have been avoided."
During the eight weeks, the EMS will also hold evacuation drill exercises, and disaster management consultants will be prearranging these exercises throughout Johannesburg.
Local fire stations, and the departments of Disaster Management, Public Education and Fire Safety will assist the public in ensuring the procedures will be implemented successfully, said EMS. "This will also provide emergency services with the opportunity to educate the public about the importance of complying with evacuation procedures," the EMS said.
Venues for the displays are:
- Saturday 5 July Campus Square Shopping Centre, Auckland Park.
- Friday 18 July Killarney Shopping Centre
- Friday 18 July The Glen, Comaro
- Saturday 19 July Hillfox Shopping Centre, Florida
- Saturday 26 July Southgate, Mondeor
The EMS has also launched 'Operation Uzingashi', an initiative aimed at making sure city buildings comply with the new by-laws.
Spot checks will make sure that buildings have fire equipment that has been serviced and is in working condition; that flammable materials are correctly stored; that the building itself does not contravene any building or safety regulations; and that there is a disaster management plan in place.
"Inspectors from the fire safety division will hold continual inspections throughout the city, and issue warnings and fines in circumstances of non-compliance," the EMS said.
People who did not comply with the warnings faced prosecution, the statement added. "Legal processes are now in place to ensure a complete process can be followed to ensure the city and its buildings become a safer place."
