City Expands Fire Fighting Services

The City's Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security heard this week that construction on the new fire station is expected to be completed by mid-December, well in time for the busy summer holiday season.

According to Cllr David Erleigh, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security and Chairperson of the Committee, the new station will address the pressing needs of the Hout Bay area which previously relied on fire and rescue services from neighbouring areas.

"It will be staffed by 30 fire fighters and have three large emergency appliances including a major fire tender, a bush fire tender and a rescue vehicle.

"The City of Cape Town is continually identifying ways of improving services to its residents. Statistically fires occur mainly in the first and fourth quarters every year, whilst flooding occurs mainly in the second and third quarters.

"The City's 'red alert season' starts in November, peaks in December and January, and levels out in the ensuing three months," says Cllr Erleigh.

Other City initiatives to provide better fire and rescue services include the establishment of a single Fire Control Centre which will be located in the Goodwood area. This will be finalised and fully operational once the City's Staff placement process has been completed later this year.

In the current financial year the City has ordered six fire engines, a bush fire water tanker, a foam tanker and a rescue vehicle to fortify its arsenal of fire fighting equipment.

"Fires and flooding in informal settlements remain the most serious hazards facing the City's Disaster Management teams. Due to the increase in informal settlements, the number of people affected by fires and flooding in informal settlements continues to rise.

"The City has therefore adopted a definitive strategy with regard to the development of human settlements to improve the quality of life for everyone," says Cllr Erleigh.

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