February 16, 2005
By Anish Abraham
WITH the red carpet rolled out and a guard of honour dressed to match the occasion, the mayor, Councillor Amos Masondo, re-opened Johannesburg's Rosebank Fire Station on Wednesday, 16 February - after 11 months of renovations to accommodate larger fire engines.
The road outside the station was closed for Emergency Management Services (EMS) crews to show off their skills and go through their drills in front of the gathered crowd. Dignitaries included Sizakele Nkosi Malobane, the mayoral committee member for public safety; Dr Audrey Gule, the head of the EMS; and several councillors.
A firetruck arrives at the newly renovated station
Members of the first Junior Cadets, a new programme to encourage schoolchildren to participate in emergency services - a project that has made Gule proud, also marched by while the crowd applauded and the EMS choir ululated. The choir later opened the function by singing the national anthem.
The fire station, known as Rosebank Fire House 9, was first opened on 14 October 1936 and was closed temporarily in March 2004 for renovations so it could accommodate the new, larger fire engines.
Malcolm Midgley, the EMS spokesperson, said Rosebank Fire House 9 was an important station because of the commercial and high-rise buildings that had been built in the suburb. "It's not a solely residential area anymore and high-rise buildings are a fire risk."
The station will be home to nine EMS members, a fire engine and an ambulance. Five officers will man the fire engine and two will be assigned to the ambulance. Station Commander Piet Olivier said with five members already at the station, it was a short step away from operating at full capacity.
In his opening address, Councillor Masondo said he was pleased with the introduction of Papa Q and the Qaphela! Awareness campaign, a City-sponsored safety awareness campaign, saying it dealt with a serious need for increased safety. This included dealing with fires in informal settlements, the dangers posed by rivers, uncovered manholes, pedestrian accidents, exposed electricity cables and hazards at construction sites.
He stressed, however, that modern, sophisticated resources and equipment alone could not create a safe environment. "To be successful in our work, we need skilful, dedicated and committed emergency personnel - men and women like yourselves who will spare neither strength nor courage to save lives."
In the City's view safety was a collective responsibility, said the mayor. He called for partnerships between the government, communities, parents, civil society organisations and individuals.
Before heading for the engine bay doors to unveil a plaque and cut the ceremonial ribbon, he thanked the members of the EMS, who dedicated their lives to the safety and well being of Johannesburg's residents.
Malobane announced the "Friends of the Station" initiative: people volunteered their time to help at the station. "You can even bring them flowers," she enthused.
To man the Junior Cadets, the EMS has scoured city schools to find children who are interested in emergency management work. It aims to have a hundred trained in the basics of firefighting. Many of the cadets come from homes where a parent is an active member of the EMS.
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