November 10, 2004
By Anish Abraham
IN a nation-wide first, Johannesburg's Emergency Management Services have introduced a year-long training programme for aspiring fire fighters, medics and rescue workers.
Mayoral committee member responsible for public safety, Sizakele Nkosi, formally launched the programme at the Diepkloof Fire Station on 5 November.
The function started with EMS top brass putting recruits through their paces, ahead of a parade inspection by head of Johannesburg EMS, Dr Audrey Gule.
"This programme is the first of its kind in the country and a very memorable occasion for us as a city," she began. The programme is in line with government's policy of skills development and job creation.
Gule said the budget for skills training and development stood at R900 000 for the current financial year, double the amount spent during the last fiscal year.
It is also the first time that more women - 52 of 100 recruits - have been recruited than men. Gule congratulated them, saying: "We must encourage more women to take up this fascinating profession."
Nkosi echoed Gule's sentiments, saying Johannesburg was the country's trend-setter.
"You are the most important and trusted service providers in the community," Nkosi said, adding EMS members must pledge support to provide service to members of the community, irrespective of their background.
She cited a recent case where a homeless man died on the street after being abandoned by members of Johannesburg EMS. "Such incidents should never happen again," she said.
Adding that the government had committed itself to creating a better quality of life for all, Nkosi said EMS members should also make a similar commitment toward the communities they served.
Of the recruits, 56 are fire fighters, while the remaining 24 are training as Advanced Life Support paramedics.
Malcolm Midgley, EMS media liaison officer, added that once the recruits completed their course, they would form a highly skilled base of reserves which could be called up for permanent employment as the need arose.
The year-long course will cover fire fighting, emergency care, hazardous materials, rescue and emergency vehicle driving.
At the end of the theory and practical components of the course participants will be skilled enough to be employed by this or any other emergency service in the country.
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